Niger Coup: ECOWAS Issues One Week Ultimatum for Reinstatement of Bazoum

* Imposes immediate sanctions including closure of land and air borders with Niger

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday rose from their extraordinary meeting in Abuja and gave the military junta holding President Mohammed Bazoum hostage in Niger Republic one week ultimatum to release and reinstate him as president.

President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu-Touray, who read the communiqué of the close-door meeting of the West African Heads of State and Government, said the regional body has directed the imposition of immediate sanctions against the junta in Niger Republic.

The immediate actions to be taken by ECOWAS include: Closure of land and air borders within ECOWAS countries, establishing an echo no-fly zone for commercial flights to and from Asia.

Other actions to be taken are the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between member states, including energy transactions, and freezing assets of the Republic of Niger in Aqua Central Bank and state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.

The ECOWAS leaders also plan to suspend all financial assistance with EDI, nill calls, and other regional bodies that support the coup attempt.

It also includes imposition of travel bans and asset freezes for military officials involved in the coup attempt, extending to their family members and civilians supporting their institutions or government.

Details later…