Politics

Niger Coup: ECOWAS issues 1-week ultimatum for Bazoum’s reinstatement

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2023

Following the recent coup in Niger Republic, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS has issued a one-week ultimatum for junta leaders to return the country to civil dispensation.

The regional position was made known after an emergency meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria. Although ECOWAS did not include the possibility of military intervention in its statement, the spokesperson of the junta, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, has however reacted to confrontation.

“The objective of this meeting is to agree on a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with African nations, not members of the organization and certain Western countries. We remind ECOWAS once more of our firm determination to defend our country”, he said.

According to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, who read the communiqué, the body “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.

“Reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from His Excellency, President Mohamed Bazoum; considered the illegal detention of President Bazoum as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup that are solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.

“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 Nigeria.

The ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France. The coup plotters said he was overthrown because he failed to protect the country from rising Islamist violence.

Niger is the latest challenge for ECOWAS which has been facilitating the transition to civilian rule in three countries in the region under military juntas—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have all scheduled presidential elections for next year.

Related Topics:#COUP #NIGER REPUBLIC ECOWAS Featured West Africa

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Politics

Mozambique’s top court affirms governing party’s victory in recent election

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Mozambique affirmed Monday that the incumbent Frelimo party won the October election, sparking widespread demonstrations from opposition parties who claim the vote was manipulated.

Fears of fresh bloodshed have been raised in the nation already shaken by weeks of fatal protests after Mozambique’s top electoral court mostly confirmed the results of the country’s contentious October elections, reinforcing the Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power.

The final decision on the election process rests with the Constitutional Council. Mozambique, a nation of over 35 million people in Southern Africa that Frelimo has ruled since 1975, is expected to see more protests in response to its judgement.

Mozambique operates a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic in a multi-party system. The president of Mozambique serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

The government exercises executive power. The administration and the Assembly of the Republic have the authority to enact laws.

Politics

Alliance of Sahel States opposes ECOWAS disengagement schedule

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrawal timeline has been rejected by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The AES claims that the ECOWAS is attempting to destabilise their newly formed organisation.

During a meeting last week in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organisation announced a six-month withdrawal period to give the three nations time to change their minds after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

However, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES,” according to the heads of state of the AES.

“This unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” the statement continues. Before the conference, they stated that their choice to leave the organisation was “irreversible.”

According to the president of the Ecowas Commission, this will be a “transition period” that ends on “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open.”

The three nations accused the bloc of neglecting to assist them in resolving their domestic security challenges and of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coup.

The three nations that were involved in the coup have mostly rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to undo their withdrawal. They are creating their alliance and have begun thinking about how to issue travel passports independently of ECOWAS.

It is anticipated that they will finish giving their one-year notice of departure in January.

Visa-free travel to other ECOWAS members is a significant perk of membership, and it is unclear how this would alter after the three nations exit the group.