ECOWAS Suspends Niger Republic Until Constitutional Order Is Restored

ECOWAS Suspends Niger Republic Until Constitutional Order Is Restored

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEDEAO) on Friday officially announced the suspension of the Republic of Niger by all sub-regional bodies until constitutional order is restored in the country. Chairman of the regional body,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 26 July, 2023 had warned against any attempt to scuttle the democratic

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEDEAO) on Friday officially announced the suspension of the Republic of Niger by all sub-regional bodies until constitutional order is restored in the country.

Chairman of the regional body,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 26 July, 2023 had warned against any attempt to scuttle the democratic government in Niger Republic, saying the regional organisation will not tolerate such.

According to him: “the ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.

“I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.

According to a statement by the regional body, the decision to suspend Niger Republic followed the decisions taken by the regional body at the summit of heads of state and government held on Sunday 10 December in Abuja.

“Until the 64th ordinary session held on December 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum, the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State,” the statement said.

Due to this position, Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS’ decision-making bodies, and members of Mr. Mohamed Bazoum’s government were authorized to represent Niger in ECOWAS’ statutory meetings.

The Dec. 10 summit , however, recognised that Mohamed Bazoum’s government had effectively been overthrown by a military coup.

Consequently, beginning on December 10, 2023, Niger is suspended from all decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until constitutional order is restored in the country,” the statement said.

The ECOWAS leaders’ meeting in Abuja asked the military junta of Niger to release the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum in exchange for the lifting of the sanctions imposed on the country.

The proposal was, however, rejected by the leader of the junta, Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani, who reiterated that President Bazoum would not be released.

After the summit, the bloc presented the proposal to lift the sanctions in exchange for the freedom of the deposed president, also asking the junta to shorten the duration of the transition period, currently set at three years.

General Tchiani , however, agreed to this last request without specifying by how much.

The sub-regional body also announced the maintenance of sanctions against Niger.

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