The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEDEAO) has officially suspended the Republic of Niger by all sub-regional bodies until constitutional order is restored in the country.

It announced this in a statement following the decisions taken at the summit of heads of state and government held on Sunday in Abuja.

“Until the 64th ordinary session held on December 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State,” the statement said. “Due to this position, Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS’ decision-making bodies and members of Bazoum’s government were authorised to represent Niger in ECOWAS’ statutory meetings.”

The regional bloc said it recognised that a military coup had effectively overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum’s government.

“Consequently, beginning from December 10, 2023, Niger is suspended from all decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until constitutional order is restored in the country,” the statement said.

On Sunday, the ECOWAS leaders’ meeting in Abuja asked the military junta of Niger, which came to power in a coup on July 26, to release the deposed Mr Bazoum in exchange for the lifting of the sanctions imposed on the country.

The proposal was, however, rejected by the leader of the junta, Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani, who reiterated that Mr Bazoum would not be released.

After the summit, the bloc presented the proposal to lift the sanctions in exchange for the freedom of the deposed president, also asking the junta to shorten the duration of the transition period, currently set at three years.

Mr Tchiani agreed to this last request without specifying by how much.

The sub-regional body also announced the maintenance of sanctions against Niger. 

(NAN)