ECOWAS commences negotiation with military junta for speedy return to democracy in Niger Republic
The Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Sunday sent a three-man negotiation team to mediate in the Niger Republic political crisis.
The ECOWAS Authority, which is chaired by President Bola Tinubu, during the its 64th Ordinary Session, held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, mandated a team of presidents, including Presidents Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, Macky Sall of Sierra Leone, and Patrice Talon of Benin, to interface with the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which is the military administration in the country.
This was one of the resolutions contained in the communiqué read in part by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, who explained that the purpose of the interface aims at getting the CNSP and other stakeholders to agree to a short transition roadmap, establishment of transition organs and other goals.
However, it would be recalled that the Abdourahamane Tchiani-led CNSP had about a month ago requested that the President of Togo, Gnassingbe, be put at the head of a team it could negotiate with in resolving the impasse resulting from the coup it led in July, ousting the democratically elected administration of President Mohammed Bazoum.
ECOWAS Authority said the outcomes from the engagement with the CNSP will determine its subsequent resolutions; either to commence the progressive relieving of the imposed sanctions or sustain the sanctions, including the use of force, as well as requests for more actions against the junta from other international bodies.
“On the political situation in the Republic of Niger, the Authority recalled its decision at its extra ordinary summit of 30 July, 2023, and 10th August 2023. On the political situation in the Republic of Niger, the Authority commends the efforts of the Chair of Authority, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, towards a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
“The Authority deeply deplores the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates by the CNSP administration. The Authority further deplores the lack of commitment on the part of the CNSP to restore constitutional order. Consequently, the Authority calls on the CNSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates immediately and without condition.
“The Authority decides to set up a committee of heads of state, made up of the President and Head of State of the Republic of Togo, the President and the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Benin, to engage with CNSP and other stakeholders, with a view to agreeing on a short transition roadmap, establishing transition organs, as well as facilitating the setting up of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism towards the speedy restoration of constitutional order.
“Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of heads of state with the CNSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger. Failure by the CNSP to comply with the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall maintain all sanctions, including the use of force and will request African Union and all other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CNSP and their associates”, Touray said.
The regional bloc leadership also rejected new moves by external interests to achieve the bulkanization of the region by creating alliances among member-states.
Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, President Bola Tinubu, had spoke about an attempt to distract the efforts at entrenching democratic culture in the region by the creation the Alliance of the Sahel States among military-run member-states.
However, the body, in its communique, said “the Authority rejects all forms of alliances that seek to divide the region and promote foreign interests in the region. The Authority calls on member-states to ensure regional unity of action by strictly adhering to collective decisions taken at the level of the Authority”.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS leaders have resolved to urgently review efforts to activate a standby force for counterterrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist groups.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism and other threats to peace, security, and stability in the region.
They also resolved to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government aimed at promoting peace, security, and democracy in the region.
The ECOWAS leaders directed the commission to embark on deep reflection and explore the possibility of convening the extraordinary summit.
At the meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, the regional leaders commended the efforts being made by member states and the ECOWAS commission to work on the consolidation of democracy, peace, security, and stability in the region.
The Authority noted, in particular, the peaceful elections that took place during the year in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and welcomed the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute in Nigeria, as well as the peaceful outcome of the dialogue between the opposition and the government in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
On the fight against terrorism and other related security matters, the leaders instructed the commission to expedite the convening of the meeting of ministers of finance and defence to agree on the modalities for the mobilization of internal financial, human, and material resources on a mandatory basis to support the deployment of the regional counterterrorism force.
“The Authority takes note of the commencement of assignment by the Special Envoy on Counterterrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, and directs the commission to facilitate his mission.
“The Authority directs the commission to intensify collaboration with sub-regional counterterrorism initiatives such as the Accra initiative and MTJN and urges member states to increase funding for joint maritime operations and exercises in the region and to improve coordination and collaboration among various ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for maritime security,” the communique read.
Gambia
On The Gambia, the Authority implored the government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of the new constitution ahead of the 2026 general elections, as well as the implementation of the white paper on the recommendations of the Truth, Reparation, and Reconciliation Commission.
They extended the mandate of the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia by one year and instructed the mission to continue to support The Gambia in the implementation of the white paper and needed defence on security sector reforms.
Guinea Bissau
On Guinea Bissau, the leaders strongly condemned the violence that erupted in Bissau on December 1, 2023, and all attempts to disrupt the constitutional order and rule of law in the country.
Commending the action of the loyal members of the security forces of Guinea Bissau, they expressed solidarity with the people and the constitutional authority of the country.
The ECOWAS stabilization support mission in Guinea Bissau was extended, while the commission was instructed to take steps to review the mandate of the mission.
Condemning the attempted coup in Sierra Leone on November 26, 2023, the leaders expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction of property and called for a thorough and transparent investigation to identify and bring perpetrators to justice.
They applauded the signing of the agreement for national unity resulting from mediated dialogue between the government and the opposition party in Sierra Leone, and called on all parties and stakeholders to implement the agreement in good faith within the specified timeframe.
ECOWAS leaders directed the commission to continue supporting Sierra Leone and facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS standby security mission for stabilization.
Senegal
On Senegal, the Authority of Heads of State and government took note of preparations for the February 25, 2024 presidential election in the country, while urging inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process.
They called on the Senegalese government and stakeholders to adhere strictly to constitutional norms, ECOWAS protocols, and the rule of law in managing all electoral processes.
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