Breaking: Summit of ECOWAS Leaders on Niger crisis opens in Abuja

APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The Extraordinary Summit on the Political Situation in Niger Republic by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States has opened on Thursday in Abuja, the Nigerian capital with the Chairman of the Authority and President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu presiding.
The Summit is expected to discuss recent developments in Niger Republic and deciding on the next steps after the removal of the democratically elected President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
In his welcome address to the Second Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, President Tinubu noted that the presence of the ECOWAS Leaders 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.
“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 Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.
“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 serve as a catalyst for 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.”
He stated that as part of a coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria and that during these engagements, the envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya.
This discourse, according to him, 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.
He stated that 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 4thAugust, 2023 and that 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.
“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.
“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. It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
“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.
“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.”
In his conclusion, President Tinubu extended his gratitude to the ECOWAS Leaders for their attention to the critical issue and expressed the hope that the deliberations would be productive and fruitful in their search for amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger.
It will be recalled that at the last ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on July 30 in Abuja, sanctions were imposed on Niger and the leaders of the coup. The other demands made included the immediate release of President Bazoum, his family, and government members who are currently detained by the military was demanded.
The communique released after that meeting also recommended the following measures: Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger. institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member-states and Niger, freezing all service transactions, including energy transactions. Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks Freeze of the assets of the Niger state and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.
Others were “suspension of measure from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, EBID. Call WAMU (West African Monetary Union) and all other regional bodies to implement this decision, imposition of travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt as well as their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials.
GIK/APA