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Niger Coup: ECOWAS Set For Showdown As Junta Cautions Against Military Intervention


The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government have resolved on military and financial showdown against the unconstitutional takeover of government in the Republic of Niger.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray stated this at the end of the extraordinary meeting of the ECOWAS on Niger.  

News Rider reports that General Abdourahmane Tchiani also known as Omar Tchiani, who is the Chief of Niger’s presidential guard declared himself leader while the elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was detained by the military since the coup commenced last week.

To this end, Heads of State and Government converged in Abuja on Sunday to deliberate on further actions against the unconstitutional seizure of power by the military junta in Niger. 

Touray agreed that a military action would be taken against the junta of Niger Republic if they fail to restore President Bazoum within one week.

He hinted that the authourity also resolved to close all land and air borders between 15-member ECOWAS nations and Niger.

The ECOWAS President noted that the Niger military and anybody backing the coup would no longer enjoy any financial transaction within the region either as government or individuals. 

In addition, travel ban was placed on the junta, its officials and families until the restoration of democratic institutions.

Touray informed that the Heads of State and Government commended President Bola Tinubu for his steadfastness in handling the affairs of the region since he assumed office as the ECOWAS Chair last month.

President Tinubu enjoined ECOWAS members to maintain the tenet of democracy in Africa and stand by all the decisions reached at the meeting.

He maintained that the situation in Niger is an affront to one of them and must be confronted with all  available options open to the community.

Tinubu harped on the need to restore Bazoum back to power as the democratically elected representative of the people of Niger.

But ahead of the Sunday ECOWAS summit, the military leaders in Niger warned against any military intervention in a statement on Saturday night.

Military spokesperson, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, read the statement on Niger national television.

He said: “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". 

ECOWAS has the power to impose sanctions on Niger, as one of its 15-member state. Last year, its leaders had concluded to create a regional security force to intervene against rebel groups and prevent military coups.

“There is so much talk here (at the summit) of sending a military force to intervene there (in Niger) that has got the military leaders in Niger worried at the moment,”  Abdramane added. 

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