ECOWAS Declares Air, Land Borders Closure Against Niger Republic

ECOWAS has announced the closure of land and air borders between surrounding countries and Niger, saying ” No-Fly-Zone on all commercial flights to and from the coup torn country.

At the end of resolution on Sunday in Abuja, the regional body demanded the immediate release and reinstatement of the deposed President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum noting that further measures taken are the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member-states and Niger, as well as the freezing of all service transactions, including energy.

Also frozen are assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS States Central Banks, assets of the Niger and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.

The body has equally sought for the full restoration of constitutional order in the country.

The regional body has equally announced the suspension of measure from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions.

Others include the imposition of travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt, including their family members and the civilians, who have accepted to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials.

These are part of the resolutions adopted at the body’s emergency meeting in Abuja, summoned by its Chairman, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, to take a unified action against the coup d’état in Niger Republic.

The meeting rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from the overthrown President.

ECOWAS stated that it condemned the illegal detention of the President Bazoum, which it perceives a hostage situation, warning to hold the perpetrators of the attempted coup fully responsible for the safety and security of President Mohammed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.

It noted in the event, ECOWAS demands are not met within one week, it will take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

 

It further warned that such measures may include the use of force and called for an immediate meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Staff of member nation’s.

Member-states are to hold accountable all those responsible for violence and terror against the lives and property of innocent citizens and residents of Niger.

Other resolutions by ECOWAS include, condemnation of the pronouncement of support by some foreign governments and foreign private military contractors and showed appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with it.

The meeting resolved to immediately appoint and dispatch a special representative of the Chairman of the Authority to deliver the demands of the Authority to the coup plotters.

Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Sunday in Abuja called for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and Government of the Republic of Niger.

In a communique at the end of the Extraordinary Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger read by the President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, the leaders also rejected any form of purported resignation by President Bazoum and declared him as the only recognised and elected President by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.

‘‘In this regard, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly-mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS,’’ they said.

The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of President Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.

They demanded full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger and considered the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum as a hostage situation, holding the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for his safety and security and that of his family and government.

 

In the event, ECOWAS’ demands are not met within one week, the leaders said they would take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

“Such measures may include the use of force for this effect, the Chiefs of Defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,’’ the leaders said.

ECOWAS leaders also condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors, while expressing appreciation to various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity.

The Summit hosted by President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, also agreed to appoint and dispatch a Special Representative to deliver the demands of the authority.

In response to the coup attempt, the Summit announced immediate sanctions on Niger including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, establishing a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.

Furthermore, assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks will be frozen.

Niger will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.

Additionally, travel bans and assets freezes were imposed on the military officials  involved in the coup attempt, as well as their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institution or government established by these military officials.

According to a statement by Dele Alake,Special Adviser to the President, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy on Sunday, July 30, 2023, during the closing remarks to the Summit, President Bola Tinubu thanked fellow leaders, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, the Special Representative of the Secretary -General and Head of the United Nations Office in West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simaõ, for their active engagement and invaluable contributions to the discussions.

‘‘As we come close to this Extraordinary Summit on the socio- political situation in the Republic of Niger, I send my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your active engagement in our open and closed door meeting.

‘‘Your invaluable contributions to our discussions have got us this far and hopefully, we will achieve our objective

Before the Summit, the President also held bilateral meetings with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau, President Mahmat Iddris Deby Itno of Chad, and Michael Health, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of African Affairs.

Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin Republic,  Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Embalo of Guinea Bissau, Macky Sall of Senegal, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo attended the Summit while the Presidents of Cape Verde, Liberia, Niger and  Sierra Leone were represented.