ECOWAS Orders Activation Of Military Force Against Niger As Defiant Niger Junta Unveils New Cabinet
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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the chief of defense staff committee to immediately activate its standby force even as the military junta in Niger Republic appointed 21 ministers that will form a cabinet to work with the transitional Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, gave the order to activate the military force while reading the resolution taken at the Extraordinary meeting on the Niger coup held in Abuja on Thursday.
The ECOWAS leaders also condemned the continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
“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.”
However, the coupists announced in a televised broadcast on Wednesday night, the appointment of 21 ministers that will form a cabinet to work with the transitional Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
This came despite pressure from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other foreign countries that the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum should be reinstated.
Mahamane Roufai Laouali, cited as the Secretary-General of the Government read out the names of 21 ministers without detailing further plans.
Laouali named three among the junta leaders to be included in the cabinet as ministers of defence, interior, and sports.
Recall that on Tuesday, the military junta appointed Zeine, Niger’s foremost economist and official of the African Development Bank as the Prime Minister to head the government.
The formation of the new government was announced even as the leaders of the ECOWAS prepare to deploy troops in the landlocked West African nation.
ECOWAS had given the junta a seven-day ultimatum to reinstate ousted Bazoum or risk intervention of whatever form.
Meanwhile, peace moves are being considered through highly respected religious figures.
On Wednesday, the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, met with the military leaders in Niger Republic.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria met the military leadership after the junta aborted a meeting with representatives of the African Union, ECOWAS and a top American diplomat.
A delegation raised by ECOWAS could not broker peace with the military rulers as they declined a meeting.
Sanusi, who is the Khalifa of the sect in Nigeria, met the Junta leaders in company of the Sultan of Damagaran. Damagaran is the third largest city in the Republic of Niger.
