ECOWAS has officially suspended the Republic of Niger from all regional bodies.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Republic of Niger has been officially suspended from all sub-regional bodies by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) until constitutional order is reinstated in the nation.
This action was confirmed through a statement released by the regional organization detailing the resolutions made during the summit of heads of state and government convened on Sunday in Abuja.
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The statement said, “Until the 64th ordinary session held on Dec. 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State.
“Due to this position, Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS’ decision-making bodies and members of Bazoum’s government were authorized to represent Niger in ECOWAS’ statutory meetings.”
The Dec. 10 summit acknowledged that a military coup had effectively ousted Mohamed Bazoum’s government.
The statement added, “Accordingly, beginning from Dec. 10, 2023, Niger is suspended from all decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until constitutional order is restored in the country.”
During the ECOWAS leaders’ meeting in Abuja on Sunday, the military junta of Niger, which seized power in a coup on July 26, was urged to release the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, as a condition for lifting sanctions imposed on the country.
The leader of the junta, Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani, rejected the proposal, emphasizing that Bazoum would not be released.
