ECOWAS Orders “the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger”

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has directed the deployment of troops against the Niger Republic junta. Following the summit held on Thursday in Abuja by its members, the regional bloc has decided to use force to reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum

The Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Niger Republic was attended by eight leaders from member countries, along with the Foreign Ministers of Liberia and the Gambia.

President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania and his Burundian counterpart, Everiste Ndayishimiye, who were invited by their fellow leaders, participated in the second ECOWAS extraordinary summit.

The communiqué, which was read by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, reads partly: “Direct the committee and its Chief of Defence 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.”

The bloc, which had earlier adopted diplomacy over war, said all efforts made to dialogue with the junta have been defiantly rejected by the coup leaders.

The military junta, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, has begun to form a transitional government, defying warnings and threats from the ECOWAS leaders and Western governments.

On Wednesday, Tchiani signed the decree for an interim government made up of 21 ministers, according to the ActuNiger news portal.

The junta had on Monday appointed a former Minister of Economy and Finance Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, Niger Republic‘s new Prime Minister.

In addition, the junta has designated Amadou Didilli to lead the nation’s High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP), while Abou Tague Mahamadou has been selected as the inspector-general overseeing the army and national gendarmerie.

Ibro Amadou Bachirou takes on the role of the Chief of Staff for the junta leader’s private office, and Habibou Assoumane is appointed as the commander of the presidential guard.

ECOWAS deploys standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger pic.twitter.com/8qSuHw6VOe

— Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews) August 10, 2023

Following the coup on July 26, ECOWAS, backed by Western leaders issued a 7-day ultimatum to the junta to reinstate Bazoum or risk sanctions with potential military action.

However, the coup plotters disregarded ECOWAS’ warnings and asserted their determination to oppose any external interference within their borders.

They also cut diplomatic relations with Nigeria, Togo, France, and the United States, while imposing an indefinite closure of the Nigerien airspace.

However, ECOWAS’ decision to use military force to restore the democratic government of Bazoum is expected to result in escalated conflict. Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has been advised to explore other options, including sanctions, but war.

With seven Nigerian states sharing a border with Niger, there is concern that a military conflict will exacerbate the fragile security of the two countries. The neighbors have had to deal with the impact of the activities of Islamic terrorists.

Although it has suspended its early plan to deploy troops to Niger, ECOWAS seems determined this time to use what it had described as a last resort. The bloc has called on the African Union (AU), partner countries, and institutions to support its resolution.

Tinubu’s speech at the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on Niger Junta

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Let me commence by welcoming you all to the Second Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, within the space of ten days.

Your presence here, despite the short notice, demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our esteemed community to finding a lasting solution to the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

2. Today, we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation.

During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government. We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would catalyze the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.

Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation.

One of the facilitators, former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.

4. Similarly, as part of coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria.

During these engagements, the Envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya.

This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in Niger.

In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President of the country.

These initiatives are aimed at presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African nations.

5. Following the resolution of our previous Extraordinary Summit to initiate a meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was duly held from 2nd to 4th August 2023.

The outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments in Niger, will be presented during this Summit.

These will offer critical insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this meeting.

6. Today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since our last gathering.

It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress.

Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.

7. Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach.

We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.

We must exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger. 

8. More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.

By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.

Esteemed Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. I am confident that this 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger will be a defining moment in our journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and integrated West Africa.

Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Africans as we strive to build a future defined by peace, progress, and prosperity.

10. In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust that our deliberations will be productive and fruitful, leading us to find an amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger.

As we continue to work together in solidarity and harmony, we can ensure a prosperous future for the entire West African region.

With these remarks, I hereby declare this Extraordinary Summit open.

Thank you all, for your attention.