Following last week’s military coup d’etat in Niger, West African leaders have launched a slew of sanctions against the country.
Niger has now been declared a no-fly zone, limiting all commercial flights to and from practically all West African countries.
West African heads of state and governments have gathered at the headquarters of the regional body ECOWAS to discuss the political situation in Nigeria, following the unlawful removal of Mohammed Bazoum from power by a gang of presidential guards.
Following the summitt in Abuja, the following communiques were released:
RESOLUTION OF ECOWAS ON NIGER
a. Affirm that His Excellency President Mohamed BAZOUM remains the legitimate elected President and Head of State of The Republic of Niger recognized by ECOWAS, the African Union and the International community; In this regards, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS;
b. Condemn in the strongest tePs the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger and the illegal detention of His Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum, President and Head of State of Niger, as well as members of his family and Government;
c. Call for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Moham Bazour as President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, and for th full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger;
d. Reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from
Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum;
e. Consider the illegal detention of President Bazoum as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of His Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and Government;
f. In the event the Authority’s demands are not met within one week, take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force; To this effect, the Chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately;
g. Hold accountable all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents;
Condemn the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors:
h. Express appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS;
Meanwhile, the following measures will be implemented immediately:
- Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger;
- Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and fro
Niger; - Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between
- ECOWAS Member States and Niger;
- Freeze of all service transaction including utility services;
- Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks;
- Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the State Enterprises and
Parastatals in Commercial Banks; - Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, BID and BOAD;
- Travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt. The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials;
- Calls on WAEMU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision.