The Nigerian government has asserted that military action will only be considered as a last resort to restore democratic rule in Niger, should diplomatic efforts and dialogue fail.
This position was declared by Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a briefing on the political situation in neighboring Republic of Niger.
The QUEST TIMES reports that President Bola Tinubu had on Friday, sent a letter to the Senate, requesting their support for military intervention against the military junta in the Niger Republic. Additionally, he sought the backing of the legislature to cut off electricity supply to the country. These moves come as part of the efforts to address the political crisis and restore democratic rule in Niger following the military coup.
Lamuwa stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his role as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been leading the organization’s efforts to find an agreeable resolution to the crisis caused by the military coup led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani on July 26, 2023, and the subsequent detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected and constitutionally installed.
Lamuwa said: “He (President Tinubu) is committed, along with other ECOWAS leaders, to restoring peace and stability to Nigeriens, as well as the right to choose their leaders through transparent and fair elections.”
In addition to the efforts led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has taken several actions to pressure the plotters in Niger to restore stability and constitutional order.
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These actions include the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, the institution of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.
“Freeze of all service transactions including utility services. Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks; Freeze of assets of Niger and the country’s Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks;
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“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, the ECOWOAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and the West African Development Bank (Banque Quest Africaine Du Développement (BOAD)”
“Travel bans and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup. These sanctions also apply to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military Officials.”
Lamuwa also mentioned that ECOWAS has taken proactive steps to address the situation in Niger by dispatching a team of mediators led by former Nigeria’s Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalam. The mediators’ mission is to actively engage with the coup plotters and express ECOWAS’s absolute displeasure at the violation of the Nigerien constitution.
He noted that: “Other members of the mediating team include the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Said Abubakar III and Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.”
He also confirmed that a separate delegation led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was mandated to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the matter adding that the objective set by President Tinubu, is to ensure a conclusive and amicable resolution of the situation in Niger which is inexorably linked to peace and development in the region.
“The authority, also at the Extraordinary Summit on 30″ July, 2023, mandated a meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) of ECOWAS, which event took place on 2 August, 2023, in Abuja. The progress report of the meeting will be communicated in short order.
“The Authority welcomes the immediate condemnation, by the international community, of the coup in Nger and sees this as a huge testimony to the preference for democracy and constitutional rule, vis-avis any other form of governance.”
“Consequently, Nigeria and indeed, ECOWAS, calls upon the international community to remain resolute on this stance and to continue to show solidarity to ECOWAS in affirming the superiority of democratic and constitutional rule over dictatorship.”
“No doubt, the developments in Niger, like Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea, have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in the region.”
“There is concern that the success of the coup in Niger would significantly dampen ECOWAS’s reputation, especially if the country joins the ranks of others that are governed by unconstitutional leaders, such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.”
“The ECOWAS authority aims to ensure that the life of President Bazoum, his family members, and other political leaders detained alongside him are preserved and their constitutional rights protected.”
Lamuwa said: “The Region holds that President Bazoum remains the legitimate President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, recognized and supported by ECOWAS, the AU, and the International Community and therefore rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from him, perhaps under duress.