The African Union (AU) has instructed its commission to create a list encompassing members of the military junta and their supporters in the Niger Republic, with the intention of imposing targeted sanctions and individual punitive measures.
These measures will supplement the sanctions that have already been imposed on the junta by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders, which the AU has also endorsed.
Furthermore, the AU has requested a report evaluating the impact of the ECOWAS standby force. This request follows ECOWAS’ statement that it would consider a military intervention if the coup leaders fail to restore democratic governance and reinstate the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
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ECOWAS had previously rejected the three-year plan presented by the new military government of Niger to transition the country back to democracy.
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On a separate note, Nigeria’s former military Head of State and leader of the ECOWAS delegation to Niger, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), formally conveyed to President Bola Tinubu the terms provided by the military junta for resolving the political crisis in Niger. The meeting occurred at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Meanwhile, state television reported that suspected armed Islamists have killed 12 soldiers in the remote South-West region of Niger.
The AU’s decisions were outlined in a communique released after a council meeting held on August 14. The AU has also suspended Niger from its activities due to the coup, and it has urged its members to refrain from any actions that could legitimize the junta.
The recent coup in Niger has raised concerns among Western allies and democratic African nations. There are fears that the coup could potentially facilitate the expansion of Islamist groups operating in the Sahel region and provide Russia with an opportunity to increase its influence.
As part of diplomatic efforts, ECOWAS has been engaging in negotiations with the junta. However, the organization has indicated its readiness to deploy troops to Niger in order to restore constitutional order if diplomatic channels prove ineffective.
