NIGER: ECOWAS abandons military option as Tinubu tightens noose on coup leaders
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has abandoned its planned joint military action aimed at restoring constitutional democracy in Niger.
According to Reuters, the body late on Tuesday confirmed the joint mission had been aborted but said it would “continue to deploy all measures in order to restore constitutional order in Niger.”
The report adds the ECOWAS leaders have slapped Niger with more sanctions, specifically mentioning that of Nigeria’s President, and ECOWAS chairman, Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu is reported to have ordered the new sanctions through Nigeria’s central bank, aimed at squeezing those involved in the June 26 takeover.
Tinubu’s request for troops deployment was rebuffed by the parliament, and also from concerned bodies which expressed the fear there would be unintended consequences for Nigeria, with about five of its states straddled with Niger.
A presidential spokesperson quoted to have made the claim explained that the sanctions were imposed after the junta denied a joint delegation from West African states, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations permission to enter Niger, resisting pressure from the United States and the UN to come to the negotiating table.
The junta had sacked the country’s President Mohammed Bazoum, after which it confined him to a house arrest.
