Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have threatened to reinstate democratic rule by force in the Republic of Niger, if the military group involved in Thursday’s coup d’état in that country do not stand down within seven days.
Heads of State of the West Africa region, led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, made the threat at an extraordinary ECOWAS meeting, in Abuja, Sunday.
Meanwhile, military leaders in Republic of Niger, aware of the purpose and intent of the ECOWAS meeting, have warned against any armed intervention in that country.
“We should walk our talk,” Tinubu said just before President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr.Omar Alieu-Touray, read the communiqué of the close-door meeting of the West African Heads of State and Government.
Addressing the “attempted overthrow” of the constitutional order in Niger, ECOWAS reiterated its “zero-tolerance” for unconstitutional change of government in the sub-region and condemned “in the strongest terms” President Bazoum’s overthrow and detention.
The ECOWAS leaders insist Bazoum is recognised as the legitimate, elected president of Niger by the African Union and the international community.
They also reject any purported resignation from Bazoum.
“If the authorities’ demands are not met within one week, ECOWAS will take all necessary measures, including the use of force, to restore constitutional order,” they said.
For his part, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the Niger junta spokesperson, said in a statement read out on state TV on Saturday night, that: “The objective of the (ECOWAS) meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain western countries.
“We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer, of our firm determination to defend our homeland.”
The junta issued a second statement on Saturday night inviting citizens in the capital to take to the streets from 7am local time to protest against ECOWAS and show support for the new military leaders.
The military coup in Niger has been widely condemned by its neighbours and international partners who have refused to recognise the new leaders and have demanded that Bazoum be restored to power.
Bazoum has not been heard from since early Thursday, when he was confined within the Presidential Palace, although the European Union, France and others say they still recognise him as the legitimate president and he has been able to speak to some international leaders.
On Saturday, the European Union and France suspended financial support and cooperation on security with Niger.
Announcing the sanctions, the EU’s foreign policy head, Josep Borrell, said: “The European Union does not recognise and will not recognise the authorities from the putsch in Niger,” adding that Mohamed Bazoum “remains the only legitimate president of Niger” and calling for his immediate release.
