Niger coup: Tinubu notifies Senate of ECOWAS’ sanction decisions

President Bola Tinubu has conveyed the decisions ofthe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the recent military intervention in Niger.

The ECOWAS decision is contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpiabio, and read at plenary on Friday.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, said in the letter: I present my modest compliments to the distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators.

”I do have the honour to inform you that following the unfortunate political situation in the Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of the administration of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum on July 26, 2023,

“The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under my leadership, condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved, along with other members of the international community, to seek the return of a democratically elected government in Niger.

Consequently, in a bid to broker peace and restore democracy in the country, ECOWAS convened an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments on July 30 in Abuja.

“The body, consistent with Africa Union (AU) and ECOWAS protocols on constitutional changes of government, thereafter issued a communiqué on the line of action decided upon by member states.

“As Chair of ECOWAS, Nigeria has the obligation to lead in the implementation of the directive outlined in the communiqué, and such resolution is as follows:

“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivation of the border drill exercise, cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic

“Mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communiqué, presenting cooperation of commercial and special flights into and from the Niger Republic.”

Other resolutions reached by ECOWAS, according to Tinubu, include the shipment of goods in transit to the Niger Republic, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports, and embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and Nigrians on the imperatives of the actions of ECOWAS, especially social media.

Tinubu said ECOWAS also resolved to ensure the military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance by the military junta.

NAN reports that the ECOWAS also enforced a no-flight zone over Niger.

This significant move, which includes air and land border closures, is seen as a crucial reaction to the recent ascendancy of the junta.