Nigerian Response to US Pressure on ECOWAS Regarding Niger Military Junta
Additional support emerged recently for the efforts made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in response to the Military coup in Niger Republic.
The United States has encouraged the regional organization, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to maintain their efforts.
Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has endorsed ECOWAS's actions aimed at restoring democracy to Nigeria’s neighboring Northern country.
U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, issued a statement through spokesperson Matthew Miller, urging for continued pressure to secure the release of President Mohamed Bazoum.
President Bazoum has remained confined to his Presidential Palace residence in Niamey since his removal by the military on July 26.
In a call, the statement reads: “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with President Bola Tinubu.
“The Secretary commended President Tinubu’s leadership of the ECOWAS Second Extraordinary Summit on the situation in the Republic of Niger.
“He noted the importance of maintaining pressure on the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland to restore constitutional order and to see President Mohamed Bazoum and his family released.”
ECOWAS has imposed economic sanctions on the junta, which recently announced intentions to prosecute President Bazoum for alleged high treason and endangering national security.
The coup leaders claimed they had evidence to support charges of “high treason and undermining internal and external security of Niger,” citing Bazoum's interactions with “nationals... foreign heads of state... (and) officials in international organizations.”
ECOWAS expressed astonishment at the threats, stating they contradicted the regime's proclaimed commitment to resolving the crisis peacefully.
“It represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means,” the statement read.
Despite concerns about his conditions in detention, Bazoum, 63, and his family have remained confined to the president’s official residence since the coup.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk criticized the detention conditions as inhumane, degrading, and in violation of international human rights standards.
Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, head of the presidential guards unit, declared himself as Niger’s new leader following a palace coup.
ECOWAS threatened military intervention to overturn the coup and has readied its troops.
The coup leaders vowed to defend against any intervention.
A delegation of prominent Muslim clerics from Nigeria met with junta leaders in Niamey to mediate an end to the crisis, with Tchiani expressing openness to discussions.
New Prime Minister of Niger, Lamine Zeine, labeled the sanctions as an "unfair challenge," but expressed confidence in the country's ability to overcome them.
Zeine, appointed by the junta a week ago, highlighted Niger's interest in economic collaboration with ECOWAS.
He voiced optimism about potential negotiations with the regional body and Nigeria, emphasizing ECOWAS's initial focus on economic progress in West Africa.
“If, however, we find that instead of this economic solidarity, the political and military principle comes to the fore, we can only regret that,” Zeine stated.
