By Adadareporters
The military junta in Niger Republic has been given seven days to restore democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum or face stiffer sanctions.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued the order after its Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held on Sunday in Abuja.
ECOWAS recognized Bazoum as the legitimate president of the embattled country. It regretted the coup that overthrew Bazoum, and imposed land and border closures, suspending all commercial flights between Niger and ECOWAS member states.
The president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said all chiefs of defence staff of the member states would proceed for an emergency meeting to strategise on effective methods to execute possible military operations to restore Bazoum to office.
Touray stated that, “ECOWAS will take all measures necessary to restore a constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force.
“To this effect, the chiefs of defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately. ECOWAS has approved the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger. Freeze all service transactions including energy transactions.
“Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger in Aqua Central Bank. Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of measure from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID.”
Our correspondent reports that Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown by the country’s presidential guards.
President Bazoum was the first elected leader to succeed another in Niger since independence in 1960. After his overthrow, his captors suspended the country’s constitution and installed Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani as head of state.
