ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government members have convened an extraordinary session at the State House in Abuja to address the recent developments in the Niger Republic. The meeting, initiated by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, commenced on Sunday at 12:58 pm.
The session was prompted by a military coup that took place four days ago, resulting in the ousting of Nigerien President Muhammed Bazoum. Following the coup, General Abdourahamane Tchiani was announced as the new leader of the nation by members of Niger's Presidential Guard.
In his address, General Tchiani, who has been heading the Presidential Guard since 2011, declared himself as the new "president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland." He cited the military's response to the deteriorating security situation linked to jihadist violence as the reason behind the coup. Additionally, a warning was issued against any foreign military intervention, cautioning that confrontation would lead to the massacre of the Nigerien population and chaos.
President Tinubu had previously condemned the coup and assured that ECOWAS, along with the international community, would take necessary measures to protect democracy and ensure democratic governance in the region. The African Union has given General Tchiani a 15-day ultimatum to restore President Bazoum to power.
During the meeting at the State House Conference Centre, leaders will deliberate on possible sanctions against Niger. In attendance are Presidents Umaro Embaló of Guinea Bissau, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Nana Akubo-Addo of Ghana, Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, Alassane Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, and Macky Sall of Senegal. Foreign Ministers LuÃs Tavares of Cabo Verde and Dee-Maxwell Kemayah Sr. of Liberia, along with Nigerien representatives, are also present.
The President of the Tchadian Transitional Military Council, Mahamat Déby, was briefly present at the meeting but left before it commenced, as observed by The PUNCH
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