The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has officially stopped the Republic of Niger from participating in all its groups until the country gets back its constitutional order.
The decision was made following a summit of leaders in Abuja on Sunday, according to a statement from the regional organization.
“Until the 64th ordinary session held on Dec. 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State,” the statement read.
Before the summit on December 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government viewed the situation in Niger as an attempt at a coup and continued to recognize Mohamed Bazoum as the President of the Republic of Niger and Head of State.
“This meant that Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS decision-making groups, and members of Bazoum’s government were allowed to represent Niger in ECOWAS meetings.”
However, during the December 10 summit, it was acknowledged that Mohamed Bazoum’s government had been overthrown by a military coup.
As a result, starting from that date, Niger is suspended from all ECOWAS decision-making groups until constitutional order is restored in the country.
During the leaders’ meeting in Abuja, ECOWAS asked the military junta in Niger, which took power in a coup on July 26, to release the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum in exchange for lifting the sanctions imposed on the country.
The junta leader, Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani, rejected this proposal, insisting that Bazoum would not be released.
After the summit, ECOWAS presented the proposal to lift sanctions in exchange for the release of the deposed president, also requesting the junta to reduce the duration of the current three-year transition period.
Tchiani agreed to the latter request without specifying the exact reduction.
The regional body also declared the continuation of sanctions against Niger.
