The controversies surrounding the recent coup d’état show no signs of abating in the current political crisis in the Republic of Niger. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, paid a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja with the leader of the ECOWAS team to Niger Republic and President Bola Tinubu’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Their aim was to update President Tinubu on their recent trip to the unstable country.
According to trustworthy sources familiar with the situation, Abdulsalami and the ECOWAS delegation, who just visited Niger, are actively studying all options to avoid a possible breakout of conflict with the neighboring country. This is especially important given that Niger’s military junta has signaled a desire to engage in discussion in order to break the current deadlock.
In a recent development, it was claimed that President Tinubu has stated his reluctance to lead ECOWAS into a potential battle in Niger Republic. Given the current popular opinion, it is clear that Niger is strongly opposed to joining any military action. The international community, particularly the United States and France, is applying tremendous pressure. In an unexpected change of events, certain members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have taken a more assertive posture. According to a source, Tinubu is actively pursuing a resolution that avoids the threat of conflict while still preserving his reputation.
The African Union has recently issued a crucial announcement about Niger. In light of the coup that occurred last month, the country has been suspended from all African Union institutions and activities. This suspension will be in effect until constitutional order is restored in full.
Read: ECOWAS delegation arrives in Niger for negotiations
The bloc emphasized its decision to suspend Niger in a recent communique issued on Tuesday. This action is being taken in response to the military junta’s refusal to hand over power to the democratically elected President, Mohammed Bazoum.
The African Union (AU) has reached a crucial decision on the Republic of Niger. The AU has elected to take action, citing numerous AU statutes such as the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance. Specifically, the AU has decided to suspend the Republic of Niger’s participation in all AU activities, Organs, and institutions. This suspension will continue in place until the country’s constitutional order is effectively restored.
The African Union (AU) has issued a forceful statement urging all AU Member States and the international community, including bilateral and multilateral partners, to condemn Niger’s illegitimate change of government. The AU urges these entities to refrain from adopting any steps that may unwittingly legitimize Niger’s unlawful rule.