The junta in Niger Republic on Friday announced the termination of military agreements and protocols signed with France as well as end of functions for Niger’s ambassadors to France, the United States, Togo and Nigeria.
Nigeria is leading the dialogue by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum who was ousted in Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani-led coup on July 26, 2023.
Radio France International reported that the “delegation from the ECOWAS arrived in Niamey, with the aim of establishing a dialogue with the junta in order to obtain the return to constitutional order. The first contacts on site were positive.
“But at the end of the evening, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) spoke through the voice of Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, the same who spoke on July 26, when the soldiers announced that they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The putschists also decided to put “an end to the functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” from four countries: France and the United States, two allies of President Bazoum, Nigeria, whose President Bola Tinubu is also at the head of ECOWAS and which imposed sanctions against Niger – suspension of financial and commercial transactions, freezing of the assets of putschists, cut in electricity supply… –, and Togo”
Meanwhile, Tinubu on Friday wrote to the senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio, seeking the support of the lawmakers for military action against the Tchiani-led putschists.
He also sought the backing of the legislature on the cutting off of electricity to the country.
The letter reads: “Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in the Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected government.
“In a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communiqué:
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
“Cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic; mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communiqué.
“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic, blockade of goods in transit to Niger, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports.
“Embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
“Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”
