In a momentous gathering at an Extra-Ordinary Summit in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu, the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), unequivocally condemned the recent coup orchestrated by military leaders in Niger Republic. With resounding applause, he emphasized that Africa has matured and must reject any attempt to subvert constitutional order through coup d’états.
As responsible African leaders, Tinubu asserted, their primary duty is to foster stability and progress, prioritizing the well-being of their citizens above all else. He stressed the collective goal of working together to ensure prosperity and happiness for the people while upholding the principles of freedom, commitment to the rule of law, and non-violent means of dispute resolution.
“Africa has come of age, we reject coup and interruption to constitutional order,” the Nigerian leader said amid applause.
“As African leaders, it is our sheer responsibility to foster stability and progress, placing the wellbeing of our people at the forefront of our endeavours.
“Working together towards their prosperity and happiness must always constantly be our goal and consistently, we will stand with our people in freedom and our commitment to the rule of law and not the barrel of gun.”
In response to the upheaval caused by the recent junta’s rise to power in Niger Republic, ECOWAS took decisive measures to protect political stability within the region. The regional bloc imposed a no-flight zone over the country, encompassing air and land borders, as a significant move to counter the junta’s influence and deter potential allies from providing aerial support.
Additionally, ECOWAS imposed immediate financial sanctions on the coup leaders and issued a deadline for the junta to relinquish power. While not ruling out the use of force if necessary, the focus remains on restoring peace and stability in Niger. The regional body made it clear that President Mohamed Bazoum remains the legitimate leader of Niger, and they called upon member states and the international community to respect and uphold this decision.
The military coup, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, took place on Wednesday, with the powerful presidential guard seizing President Mohamed Bazoum. This action has been met with strong condemnation from the United Nations, African Union, European Union, United States, and other world and regional leaders.
The junta’s defiance and warning against any armed intervention in Niger prompted ECOWAS to convene an emergency summit in Nigeria’s capital. In response, thousands of pro-junta supporters took to the streets on Sunday to show their support and reject any intervention by the regional body.
The situation in Niger raises questions about the people’s acceptance of military rule over democracy, as protests continue to rock the nation. As the international community closely watches the developments, ECOWAS remains steadfast in its efforts to restore constitutional order and uphold the principles of democracy in the region.
