The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has planned another meeting concerning the Niger Crisis. Earlier, a meeting was held in Abuja on August, where ECOWAS gave the Niger junta a 7-day ultimatum to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or face sanctions, potentially including military intervention. Instead of complying, the junta cut ties with Nigeria and other countries supporting Bazoum.
The military regime, led by Commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani, asserted its refusal to yield to external pressure and warned against foreign intervention, vowing to protect Niger’s territorial integrity. In the event that diplomatic efforts fail, military chiefs from various West African countries, including Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cote D’ivoire, Cabo Verde, and the Republic of Benin, gathered in Abuja to agree on a plan for potential military intervention.
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ECOWAS sent a high-powered delegation last week to mediate with the coupists, but their representatives met with the team led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd). As a result, President Bola Tinubu, who is the chairman of ECOWAS, called for another Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Niger, scheduled to take place in Abuja on Thursday, August 10, 2023. During the summit, the leaders will discuss recent developments in Niger.
The coup leaders have not issued any response to the deadline set by ECOWAS yet. Meanwhile, people residing near the Nigerian borders with Niger in Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, and Borno states are living in fear due to the uncertain situation, resulting in high costs and shortages of essential necessities like food and medicine. Several groups and individuals have called on ECOWAS to reconsider their actions, emphasizing the potential adverse effects on the people of Niger and the wider West African sub-region.
The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) have both urged caution in dealing with the crisis in Niger, with the latter commending Nigeria’s efforts in initiating a dialogue process for peaceful resolution and cautioning against military action due to its potential negative implications on Nigeria.
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