The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has resolved to deploy standby military troops to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic. ECOWAS President, Omar Alieu Touray, made the declaration on Thursday while reading the resolution of the regional body on the military junta in Niger at the end of the commission’s Extraordinary summit in Abuja.
It also called on the African Union, AU, partner countries, and institutions to support the resolution taken by ECOWAS.
Touray said all efforts made to dialogue with Niger Republic military junta have been defiantly rejected by coup leaders as they condemned the continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
According to him, “all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger”.
He said, ECOWAS, noted the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger and decide as follows:
“Reiterates its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoam, his family, and members of his government
“Further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and hold the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security, and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family, and government.
“Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023; Underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“Enforce all measures in particular border closures and strict travel bans and assets freeze on all persons or groups of individuals whose actions hinder all peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the smooth and complete restoration of constitutional order; Warn member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences for their action before the community.
“Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger; Further call on all partner countries and institutions including the United Nations to support ECOWAS, in its effort to ensure a quick restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with its normative instruments.
“Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions; Direct the Committee of the chief of defense staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger; “Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
Meanwhile, President, Bola Tinubu on Thursday said no option is off the table including the use of force as the last resort in resolving the Niger Republic crisis.
Tinubu who is the Chairman of the EVOWAS stated this in his closing remarks at the bloc’s summit in Abuja.
“You will see from the communiqué of this extraordinary summit that no option is taken off the tables including the use of force as the last resort.
“If we don’t do it, no one else will do it for us. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Niger towards peaceful and democratic stability in the country,” the President said.
