Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has summoned the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) for a fresh meeting, following the expiration of the 7-day deadline given to the Niger Republic’s military junta to restore Mohamed Bazoum as president or face military intervention.
The notice of the meeting, which is to be held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on August 10, was sent on Monday by Tinubu, who doubles as the chairman of ECOWAS.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened another Extraordinary Summit of the Authority on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.
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The Summit will be held in Abuja, on Thursday, August 10, 2023.”
“The ECOWAS Leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the Summit,” a statement issued by the regional body reads.
The fresh meeting is prompted by the growing calls for ECOWAS to jettison its plan for military action in Niger. The regional bloc had last week, announced it’s prioritizing diplomacy over military action in its attempt to resolve the crisis.
Also, the Nigerian Senate on Saturday rejected Tinubu’s request for the redeployment of troops to Niger, asking the president to explore other dialogue-based options in the quest to restore democracy in the West African country.
Since the coup led by the presidential guards on July 26, the West, led by France, has been mounting pressure on Nigeria to intervene militarily to restore Bazoum.
However, following the expiration of the ECOWAS deadline on Sunday, the Niger military junta has reportedly brought in reinforcements to Niamey, the country’s capital in preparation for a possible military invasion in the country by the ECOWAS.
According to information from a military insider shared with CNN, a convoy comprising approximately 40 pickup trucks arrived after sunset on Sunday. These vehicles transported troops from various regions of the country, serving the dual purpose of instilling confidence among the apprehensive civilian population and making necessary arrangements for any potential confrontations.
It was also reported that mercenaries from the Russian Wagner group, a military contractor group, have arrived in Niger to support its military.
Amid the looming specter of military intervention, the nation’s airspace has been closed by the military authorities. Heightened unease and bewilderment have taken hold in the northern expanse of Nigeria, particularly within the seven states sharing borders with Niger.
President Bazoum remains in captivity, as the reins of power in Niger are still firmly grasped by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the junta’s official designation.
The junta has rallied thousands of Nigeriens to Niamey, the country’s capital, in support of the military. The military takeover is widely seen by the citizens as a way of relieving the country from France’s grip. The military leaders have cut off the supply of uranium to France.