Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intensified its pressure yesterday on the Niger Republic junta to restore democracy.
The chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dispatched two delegations, one a mission to warn Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani of the consequence of failing to respect the position of ECOWAS that President Mohammed Bazoum should be reinstated.
Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on behalf of the sub-region met with junta leader in Niamey, after taking briefing from President Tinubu in Abuja.
The second delegation was led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe with a mission to persuade leaders of Libya and Algeria – Niger’s Northern neighbours – to lend their support to the pressure on the military usurpers.
The sub-regions Chiefs of Defence Staff, after concluding their meeting in Abuja, have returned to their respective countries to brief their Commanders in Chief on their decisions and readiness for a military offensive, if necessary.
United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden, also yesterday gave his total support to ECOWAS decision that the junta should step down.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale explained in a statement that the President acted in line with the resolution reached at the end of last weekend’s extraordinary summit of ECOWAS in Abuja.
Niger has been embroiled in crisis since July 26 when a military junta overthrew the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
The coup drew condemnations from the international community, including ECOWAS which gave the junta till August 6 to reinstate Bazoum. The sub-regionional body went on to announce a number of sanctions against Niger with Nigeria taking the lead by cutting off power supply to the troubled nation.
Niger, with a population of over 27 million, shares border with Nigeria in the North.
Yesterday, Defence Headquarters clarified that it had yet to receive an order to deploy troops against the Niger junta headed by 62-year-old Gen Tchiani.
Already, Washington has directed its non-emergency embassy officials in Niger to exit.
Ngelale added that Tinubu while meeting with the Abubakar-led team , charged the members to engage all the Niger stakeholders robustly with a view to resolving the crisis.
“We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region,” he quoted the President as saying.
Before their departure, Abubakar told reporters that ECOWAS leaders were unhappy with the developments in Niger.
He said,
“We have just been giving our marching orders to go to Niger and convey the feelings of our Heads of State in the region that they are not happy with what happened.
“And they gave them an ultimatum that the coup leaders should desist from what they are doing and give back power to an elected President and again, to make sure that this message is sent loud and clear to them.
“So far, we are going there to convey this message to them and hear their response and report back what they have said.”
Kingibe said talking with Libya and Algeria would stimulate the solidarity required for peaceful talks.
“Of course, this kind of situation requires solidarity. It requires coordination with all parties that are relevant to the situation.
“In that regard, Libya and Algeria are also very important neighbours of Niger. So, my mission is to go there with a message from President Tinubu. To brief them on the ECOWAS position and solicit solidarity and cooperation.
“We hope to find a diplomatic solution. Nobody wants to go to war, especially with neighbours that they share a common language, culture and religion.”
