Niger: ECOWAS forces told to prepare for takeover

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has resolved to send troops to Niger to restore constitutional order. This was the main resolution arrived at in a second extraordinary summit to discuss the military takeover of the West African State.

On July 26, 2023, presidential guards led by General Tchiani Abdouramne, seized power from Mohamed Bazoum, citing economic and social crisis rocking the poor nation.

The junta ignored an ECOWAS deadline of July 30, 2023, to relinquish power.

During the second meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on August 10, 2023, the heads of state said they were not going to let the West African bloc be paralyzed by a series of coups.

Resolution of August 10, Abuja meeting

Noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger; taking note of the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger decide as follows:
 
 
A. 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 
B. Further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and hold the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security, and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
C. Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary Summit held in Niger on 30th July 2023.

D. Underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger.
H. Further call 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.
I. Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.
J. Direct the Committee of the chief of defense staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
K. Order the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
 L. Underscore its continued commitment for the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”