This decision among others was taken at the second extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Niger. The summit was convened in Abuja, Nigeria on 10th August 2023.
The Extraordinary Summit was convened as a sequel to the recent one held on 30th July 2023, following the illegal detention of President Mohamed BAZOUM by members of the Presidential Guard in the Republic of Niger on 26th July 2023.
The ECOWAS decision further ordered the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger; underscoring its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.
The Authority reiterates its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d'etat and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoam, his family and members of his government. The West African bloc further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and holds the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
ECOWAS decision continued: “Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023; underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis; enforce all measures in particular border closures and strict travel bans and assets freeze on all persons or groups of individuals whose actions hinder all peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the smooth and complete restoration of constitutional order; and warn member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences for their action before the community.”
The Authority’s decision calls on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger while calling on all partner countries and institutions including the United Nations to support ECOWAS, in its effort to ensure a quick restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with its normative instruments.
The Authority also directs the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.
