The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the recent coup d’état in Niger and agreed to take seven steps to address this breach of democratic principles.
The steps range from diplomatic efforts to potential sanctions.
The seven-point strategy by the regional bloc was revealed in a request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government to the Nigerian Senate on Friday.
The president said:
Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt. in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.
1. Closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
2. Cutting off Electricity supply to Niger Republic
3. Mobilizing international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique
4. Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic
5. Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports
6. Embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and Nigerians on the imperative of these actions particularly via social media
7. Military build up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.
Recall that Mohamed Bazoum was detained by his own guards last week, and a military junta has since taken power.
The coup has been condemned by the African Union and the United Nations.
