<strong>Niger Junta Rejects ECOWAS</strong>

By Alusine Fullah

The Economic Community of West Africa States has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Niger Republic Military demanding the release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and Government.Nevertheless, the Niger military swiftly rejected the call and issued a warning to ECOWAS, cautioning against any military intervention. Niger Military stated: “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland…” they further emphasized the potential consequences of foreign military intervention, warning that it could lead to severe ramifications, including the massacre of the Nigerian population and chaos.

The current political crisis in Niger was sparked by the topping president Bazoum last Wednesday by members of the presidential guard, led by Abdourahamane Tiani, who has declared himself the country’s new leader.

Prior to the just issued seven-day ultimatum notice, ECOWAS Commission on their statement condemned  the attempted coup d’état in Niger. ECOWAS stated: “ECOWAS has received the news of an attempted coup d’état in Niger with shock and consternation. ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempted to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected president of the Republic immediately and without any condition

ECOWAS and the international community will hold those involved in the plot responsible for the security and safety of the president, his family members of the government and the general public…”

According to the statement of ECOWAS, in the meantime, the following measures are to be applied with immediate effect:

1. Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger;
2. Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger
3. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Members States and Niger.