ECOWAS Bloc Gives Ultimatum to Niger’s New Military Leaders
Pro-coup protesters in Niger’s capital, Niamey, burned French flags and attacked the French embassy on Sunday, as West African nations imposed sanctions and threatened force if the country’s coup leaders fail to reinstate ousted President Mohammed Bazoum within a week. The military takeover in Niger is the seventh in the Sahel region since 2020.
The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc, at an emergency summit in Nigeria, called for the restoration of constitutional order and warned of reprisals if it is not achieved. The bloc’s response came as crowds in Niamey burned French flags and stoned the French embassy, resulting in clashes with the police.
Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who came to power in 2021 after a coup, met with his Nigerian counterpart and volunteered to speak to the military leaders in Niger. ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union announced immediate sanctions, including the closure of borders, a ban on commercial flights, and the freezing of national assets.
Niger’s prime minister, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, warned that the ECOWAS sanctions would be disastrous for the country, which heavily relies on international partners for its budgetary needs. The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, welcomed ECOWAS’s action and called for the immediate release of President Bazoum.
Similar sanctions were imposed by ECOWAS on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea following coups in those countries in the past three years. However, political analysts argue that such measures tend to hurt civilians more than the military leaders who seized power.
The military coup in Niger has been widely condemned by neighboring countries and international partners, including the United States, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and France. Niger has been a key ally in Western campaigns against insurgents in the Sahel region, and there are concerns that the coup could lead to greater Russian influence in the area.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and receives significant development assistance. The country is also a major producer of uranium. The European Union, France, and the United States have cut off financial support to Niger in response to the coup.
Thousands of people rallied in Niamey on Sunday to express their discontent against France’s interference in Niger’s affairs. Some protesters attacked the French embassy, but they were dispersed by the Niger national guard. France condemned the violence and called for an end to the era of coups d’etat in Africa.
The situation in Niger remains tense, with the international community urging the reinstatement of the ousted president and the restoration of constitutional order. The ECOWAS bloc’s ultimatum and the threat of sanctions and force put pressure on the coup leaders to comply with the demands.
What are the potential consequences for R’s military leaders if they fail to reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum within the given deadline set by the ECOWAS bloc?
R’s military leaders now face an ultimatum from the ECOWAS bloc, which has demanded the reinstatement of President Mohammed Bazoum within one week. Failure to comply with this demand could result in further reprisals, which may include the use of force.
The protests in Niamey, which led to the burning of French flags and the attack on the French embassy, highlight the growing discontent among some sections of the population with both foreign powers and the military takeover. The situation in Niger is alarming, as it marks the seventh coup in the Sahel region since 2020.
In response to the crisis, the ECOWAS bloc held an emergency summit in Nigeria and called for the restoration of constitutional order. It also warned of reprisals if the military leaders do not comply with this demand. The bloc’s stance was reinforced by immediate sanctions, imposed by both ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, which include the closure of borders, a ban on commercial flights, and the freezing of national assets.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby of Chad, who took power through a coup in 2021, expressed his willingness to engage with the military leaders in Niger. This gesture demonstrates a level of solidarity among coup leaders in the region.
The situation in Niger remains uncertain, with the military leaders now facing a concrete deadline to reinstate the ousted president. The ultimatum from ECOWAS and the imposition of sanctions reflect the regional community’s determination to uphold democratic principles and stability within West Africa.
It is essential for the West African bloc to issue a strong ultimatum to Niger’s military leaders following the coup. The stability and democratic values of the region must be upheld, and swift action must be taken to ensure a peaceful and inclusive transition of power.