The Economic Community of West African States officially registered the coup in Niger, four and a half months after soldiers overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. In a press release issued four days after the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit in Abuja on Sunday, December 10, the regional organization provided “clarifications” in response to criticism from Nigeria’s CNSP, with whom the organization plans to begin talks.
Published on: December 14, 2023 – 8:34 p.m
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“The December 10 summit recognized that the government of Mohamed Bazoum was effectively overthrown by a military coup,” the ECOWAS Commission said in its press release.
According to the regional organization, until last Sunday, December 10, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered Mohamed Bazoum, who had not yet resigned, as President of Niger, and members of his government could therefore represent the country at statutory meetings.
From now on, the coup is officially registered and Niger is excluded from the decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until constitutional order is restored.
ECOWAS is thus responding to criticism from the CNSP, whose spokesman expressed outrage at the participation of members of Mohamed Bazoum's government at the summit. In his opinion, it is a provocation that “is likely to undermine any effort to find a diplomatic and negotiated solution to the current political situation.”
ECOWAS on Sunday appointed a committee to initiate talks with the CNSP.
The organization paves the way for an easing of sanctions while calling on Niamey to commit to a roadmap for a short-term transition.
Also read: ECOWAS maintains its sanctions against Niger but does not close the door to dialogue