The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has directed the deployment of its standby force to restore constitutional order in the Niger Republic.
President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, made the declaration while reading the resolution of the regional bloc on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The regional bloc ordered the Chief of Defence Staff committee to immediately activate its standby force while calling on the African Union (AU), partner countries, and institutions to support the resolution taken by the sub-regional body.
At its first meeting on July 30, the regional bloc issued a seven-day ultimatum for the junta in Niger to restore constitutional order in the country. The ultimatum expired four days ago.
ECOWAS had threatened the use of force as a last resort if the military authorities in Niger refused to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who was removed from office in a coup on July 26 and placed under house arrest.
In the resolution, the regional bloc said all efforts to dialogue with the junta have been defiantly rejected by coup leaders as they condemn the continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
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The resolution reads in part, “The Authority having considered the memorandum presented by the President of the ECOWAS commission on the current situation in the Republic of Niger, as well as ECOWAS engagement since the last extraordinary summit; and having considered the reports of the envoys of the chair, to Niger and various other places; carefully considered the report and recommendations of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defense staff;
“It extensively discussed the latest development in Niger since the last extra ordinary Summit held on 30th July 2023. Noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger; took note of the expiration of the one week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger decide as follows:
“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 extra ordinary 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 for the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
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