The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has opted to impose stricter financial penalties on the leadership that recently seized power in Niger through a coup. These penalties will also target individuals and groups supporting the junta, including the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso.
This decision follows attempts by representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS, the United Nations, and the United States to mediate the situation in Niger. Regrettably, their efforts hit an impasse as the military junta in Niger declined to engage with them.
Furthermore, the leaders of the military junta rejected meetings with prominent figures such as Victoria Nuland, the acting US Deputy Secretary of State. They also denied access to Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who led the coup, and the deposed President, Muhammed Bazoum.
The military takeover, led by Gen. Tchiani and a group of military officers on July 26, prompted ECOWAS to impose sanctions on Niger, pressuring them to reinstate the previously elected president. Additional penalties have now been introduced, targeting individuals and entities connected to the junta.
A joint delegation comprising members from the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations intended to negotiate with the junta in Niger’s capital, Niamey. However, they were denied entry by the military officers. This situation prompted the announcement of new sanctions, specifically targeting individuals and groups associated with the junta, in a statement released in Abuja.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale stated, “Following the expiration of the ultimatum and based on the consensus position of ECOWAS Heads of State, President Bola Tinubu has ordered additional financial sanctions through the Central Bank of Nigeria on entities and individuals related to the military junta in Niger Republic.”
It’s important to note that these sanctions are part of ECOWAS’s response to the coup and its demand for the junta to step down and reinstate the ousted president. The impact of ECOWAS’s decision also extends to Mali and Burkina Faso, affecting any entities engaged in business with Niger.
The political turmoil in Niger has raised concerns among Nigerian refugees who had sought refuge there. The coup and its aftermath have strained relations with host communities, leading to worries about the refugees’ safety.
The situation has also prompted discussions about potential military intervention by ECOWAS leaders, although this approach comes with significant financial implications, estimated at around $2 billion per year. Given these costs and the complexity of the situation, careful consideration and diplomatic efforts are required to find a resolution.
Amid these challenges, the Arewa Consultative Forum has called for the lifting of sanctions on Niger and emphasized the need for more dialogue to prevent escalating tensions.
Meanwhile, the planned ECOWAS-AU-UN mission to Niger was cancelled due to the junta’s unavailability to meet with the delegation.
