The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to initiate talks with the military junta that seized power in Niger in July 2023, with the aim of restoring constitutional order in the country.
The regional bloc announced this decision at the end of its 64th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday.
According to the communique read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, the bloc has appointed a committee of three heads of state to engage with the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the body that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and his government.
The committee consists of Presidents Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Julius Bio of Sierra Leone and Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin. They are expected to agree with the CNSP on a short transition roadmap, establish transition organs and facilitate the setting up of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
The ECOWAS Authority also expressed its deep concern over the continued detention of President Bazoum, his family and associates by the CNSP, and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.
The bloc warned that it will either progressively ease the current sanctions imposed on Niger if the junta cooperates with the committee, or maintain them in the event of non-compliance. It also threatened to request the African Union and other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CNSP and their associates, and to prepare its standby force for possible military intervention.
The ECOWAS Authority reiterated its commitment to the fight against terrorism and other security challenges in the region, and instructed the Commission to urgently resume efforts to activate the ECOWAS standby force in its kinetic mode for counterterrorism operations in zones infested by terrorist groups.
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It also instructed the Commission to expedite the convening of the meeting of ministers of finance and defense to agree on the modalities for the mobilization of internal financial, human and material resources on a mandatory basis for support the deployment of the regional counterterrorism force.
The bloc acknowledged the commencement of assignment by its special envoy of counterterrorism, Baba Kamara, and directed the Commission to facilitate his work and provide him with the necessary support.
The ECOWAS Authority commended its Chairperson, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, for his efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the political crisis in Niger, and for his leadership in addressing the security and economic challenges facing the region.
The Authority also expressed its solidarity with the people and government of Guinea, following the recent volcanic eruption that caused significant damage and displacement in the country.
The summit was attended by 13 heads of state and government, as well as representatives of the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and other partners.
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