Niger Coup: ECOWAS unlikely to deploy military as Tinubu calls for more dialogue
The ongoing meeting of the ECOWAS heads of state is likely to call for more dialogue with the coup leaders in Niger, PREMIUM TIMES can report.
This follows the request by ECOWAS chair and Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who told his fellow West African leaders that the regional bloc should adopt more dialogue with the putschists rather than deploy the military.
“In reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, we must prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach,” Mr Tinubu told his fellow West African leaders.
“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. We must exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.”
The Nigerian leader acknowledged that some of the steps taken by ECOWAS to dialogue with the coup leaders have not been successful and called for a review of such steps.
“It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress. Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger,” he said.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the junta leader in Niger has refused to meet ECOWAS, AU, UN and US delegations since the regional bloc imposed sanctions on Niger. The sanctions include air and land blockades and asset freezes.
Although he refused to meet with the regional leaders, General Abdourahamane Tchiani Wednesday met with Nigerian Lamido Sanusi, an ally of Mr Tinubu, who later briefed the Nigerian leader about his visit.
The coup leaders also ignored an ECOWAS ultimatum to return power to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who is still being detained. ECOWAS had threatened to use force if its demands were ignored by the coup leaders.
However, most Nigerians, including the parliament, and traditional and religious leaders have opposed the use of force in Niger and called for more dialogue.
On Wednesday, the highly influential Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also called for the reversal of the sanctions on Niger.
The ECOWAS meeting was still ongoing at the time of this report.
Read Mr Tinubu’s full speech below.
OPENING REMARKS
BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFRAT THE SECOND EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT ON THE SOCIO-POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER
ABUJA, NIGERIA
10TH AUGUST,2023
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government;
Your Excellency, the President of the ECOWAS Commission;
Your Excellency, President of the African Union Commission;
Your Excellency, President of the UEMOA Commission;
The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in West Africa and the Sahel; and
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. Let me commence by welcoming you all to the Second (2nd) Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, within the space of ten days. Your presence here, despite the short notice, demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our esteemed community to finding a lasting solution to the political situation in the Republic of Niger.
2. Today, we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation. During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government. We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would catalyze the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger. Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation. One of the facilitators, former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.
4. Similarly, as part of coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria. During these engagements, the Envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya. This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in Niger. In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President of the country. These initiatives are aimed at presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African nations.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
5. Following the resolution of our previous Extraordinary Summit to initiate a meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was duly held from 2nd to 4th August 2023. The outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments in Niger, will be presented during this Summit. These will offer critical insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this meeting.
6. Today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since our last gathering. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress. Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger. Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, we must prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach. We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. We must exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
7. More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region. By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.
Esteemed Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. I am confident that this 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger will be a defining moment in our journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and integrated West Africa. Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Africans as we strive to build a future defined by peace, progress, and prosperity.
9. In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust that our deliberations will be productive and fruitful, leading us to find an amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger. As we continue to work together in solidarity and harmony, we can ensure a prosperous future for the entire West African region.
10. With these remarks, I hereby declare this Extraordinary Summit open.
Thank you all, for your attention.
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