ECOWAS Abuja Summit maintains sanctions against Niger

The 64th extraordinary Summit of Heads of States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held Sunday December 10 in Abuja, Nigeria, maintained sanctions slapped on Niger in the wake of July 26 military coup and demanded the release of detained leader Mohamed Bazoum.

Both sides have been embroiled in a tug of war since Bazoum’s ouster by General Abdourahamane Tiani on July 26.

The regional organization imposed various sanctions including economic ones on the poor West African country and demanded Bazoum be restored as President or the country would face a military intervention.

Niamey did not budge and managed to be recognized by several countries around the world including the U.S.A.

The Summit held in the Nigerian federal capital reiterated the sanctions but also requested a short period transition.

General Abdourahamane Tiani in August 2023 announced a three-year transition but ECOWAS rubbished the move and further wielded the military intervention threat.

In a separate decision on Niger, the Summit also appointed leaders of Togo, Benin, and Sierra Leone to mediate between the regional organization and Niger to the return of a civilian-led rule.