More than four months after their introduction, ECOWAS is maintaining its sanctions against Niger. This is one of the key announcements at the conclusion of the West African Organization Summit, which took place this Sunday in Abuja. However, ECOWAS is not closing the door to dialogue with Niamey.
Published on: October 12, 2023 – 8:46 p.m. Modified on: November 12, 2023 – 3:29 a.m
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To make it clear that the Nigerian junta is still not accepted in the bodies of the Economic Community of West African States, it is the prime minister of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum who chaired Niger during the summit, our special envoy in Abuja reports. Serge Daniel.
The heads of state attending this summit also maintained the sanctions against the soldiers of Niamey. The meeting reiterated calls for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family, as well as the arrested former dignitaries.
For example, during the closed meeting of heads of state, the representative of Ivory Coast called for the release of President Mohamed Bazoum before any negotiations. In the same vein, and a little as if the return of the Nigerian president to power was no longer a demand of ECOWAS, a Beninese minister representing his country stated: “We will have to reconsider our demands if President Mohamed Bazoom is released here.” The Niamey soldiers present a road map. »
The other one from the summit. Nigerian President Bola Tinobu, who was initially against the coup plotters, even dropped a small bombshell during the closed session: “The Nigerian military can retain power for a reasonable period of time, but they must release Bazoum.” »
ECOWAS deplores the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family and his close associates by the CNSP government. She also regrets the CNSP's lack of commitment to restoring constitutional order. The Conference of Heads of State and Government therefore calls for the immediate and unconditional release of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family and his associates. The Authority decides to establish a Committee of Heads of State, composed of the Presidents of the Republic of Togo, Sierra Leone and Benin, to speak with the CNSP and other stakeholders and agree on a short roadmap for the transition. Create transition bodies. Depending on the results of the Committee of Heads of State's cooperation with the CNSP, ECOWAS could gradually impose sanctions on Niger.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Turay explains the conditions for lifting ECOWAS sanctions against Niger
Moses Gomis
Former Foreign Minister of Bazoum “satisfied”
Shortly after reading the final communiqué, in which the sanctions against Niamey were maintained, the foreign minister of the deposed president Mohamed Bazoum appeared rather “satisfied”: “I am somewhat satisfied because in any case some principles have been maintained,” explained Hassoumi Massoudou, who was present in the room as a delegate from the Nigerian Anti-Coup Tendency. And perspectives can arise if there is good will on both sides. »
Because on the Nigeria issue, the sub-regional organization is not closing the door to dialogue.
The heads of state of Togo, Benin and Sierra Leone, who were very involved in the matter, were responsible for contacting the Nigerian junta in Niamey on behalf of ECOWAS to develop a plan to exit the crisis. And according to our information, the Togolese Foreign Minister and the UN Special Representative for West Africa must travel to Niamey before Christmas.
The aim is to start negotiations with the junta to find a solution to the crisis with a short-term transition as the central axis.
Lifting of travel sanctions against Malian authorities, Burkinabé refugees and coup attempts
For example, if the conference decided to lift travel sanctions against Malian authorities, many other issues were discussed during the closed meeting of heads of state.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara was also notably absent from the summit: his representative at the summit is his vice president. In a calm tone, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné addressed another problem in the non-public meeting: 35,000 refugees from neighboring Burkina Faso now live in Ivory Coast and the situation is becoming increasingly difficult.
A Beninese minister, representing his country at the summit, took his turn to announce Cotonou's solidarity with Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone – two countries that have recently experienced upheavals.
For her part, Sierra Leonean President Mada Bio took the opportunity to ask ECOWAS to participate in the ongoing investigation. For him, a former president of Sierra Leone would be involved in what he calls an attempted coup. On the same topic, Senegalese President Macky Sall's representative instead called for respect for former Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma, who was accused by local authorities of being behind recent events.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are trying to “destroy ECOWAS” with “help from Russia”
Another speaker during the closed session of heads of state, Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Emballo, said he was “shocked” that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers regretted the dissolution of the National Assembly in his country.
Ghanaian Nana Akufo-Addo insisted: We must establish the Waiting Force, which is responsible for the fight against jihadism and coups. He added: The Alliance of the Sahel States (AES) made up of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso is trying to “destroy” ECOWAS “with the help of Russia”.
Deploy the ECOWAS counter-terrorism standby force?
Among these issues, ECOWAS particularly wants to launch a regional anti-terrorism operation across West Africa.
The Heads of State urge the Commission to activate the ECOWAS counter-terrorism standby force in the West African region. The finance and defense ministers of the non-suspended member countries must meet soon to plan one or more military operations, the outlines of which are yet to be clarified, our correspondent in Abuja reports. Moses Gomis.
Another important decision: ECOWAS will extend the mandate of the Ecomog stabilization force stationed in Guinea-Bissau for several years. The unrest and aftershocks that rocked Bissau, as well as the failed coup attempt in Sierra Leone, are all worrying signs for incumbent West African leaders.
Some unforgettable images from this 64th Ordinary Summit: the noted absence of three strong ECOWAS voices. The Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, the Senegalese Macky Sall or the Beninese Patrick Talon did not travel to Abuja.
Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, however, sat at the conference table. Prime Minister Mohamed Bazoum attended the summit in the seat assigned to the representative of Niger. Finally, George Weah was entitled to applause from the leaders of ECOWAS, who were all on their feet: the former Ballon d'Or and football star elegantly acknowledged his defeat in the presidential elections in Liberia a few days ago.
Also read Coup in Niger: International sanctions are increasing and are being felt in the country