West African leaders have today announced a raft of sanctions on the republic of Niger following last week’s military coup d’etat in the West African country.
Henceforth, Niger has been declared a no-fly zone restricting all commercial flights moving to and fro almost all west African countries.
West African heads of state and governments have converged at the headquarters of the regional body ECOWAS over the political situation in Nigeria after a group of presidential guards unconstitutionally pushed Mohammed Bazoum out of government
Excerpts of a communiques released after the smmitt in Abuja noted the following:
ECOWAS RESOLUTION ON NIGER
a. Affirm that His Excellency President Mohamed BAZOUM remains the legitimate elected President and Head of State of The Republic of Niger recognized by ECOWAS, the African Union and the International community; In this regards, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS;
b. Condemn in the strongest tePs the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger and the illegal detention of His Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum, President and Head of State of Niger, as well as members of his family and Government;
c. Call for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger;
d. Reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum;
e. Consider the illegal detention of President Bazoum as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of His Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and Government;
f. In the event the Authority’s demands are not met within one week, take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force; To this effect, the Chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately;
g. Hold accountable all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents;
Condemn the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors:
I. Express appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS;
Appoint and dispatch a special representative of the Chair of the Authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the Authority:
In the meantime, the following measures are to be applied with immediate effect:
- Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger;
- Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger;
Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger;
Freeze of all service transaction including utility services; - Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks;
- Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks;
- Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, BID and BOAD;
- Travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt. The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials;
- Calls on WAEMU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision.
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Source: myjoyonline.com