The Economic Community of West African States officially records the coup d’état in Niger, four and a half months after soldiers overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. In a press release published 4 days after the summit of ECOWAS heads of state in Abuja on Sunday December 10, the regional organization provided “clarifications” in response to criticism from the Nigerien CNSP with whom the organization wants to initiate discussions.
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“ The December 10 summit recognized that the government of Mohamed Bazoum had effectively been overthrown by a military coup », Affirms the ECOWAS commission in its press release.
According to the regional organization, until last Sunday, December 10, the conference of heads of state and government considered Mohamed Bazoum, who has still not resigned, as the president of Niger, the members of his government could therefore represent the country at statutory meetings.
From now on, the coup d’état is officially recorded, Niger suspended from the decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until the restoration of constitutional order.
ECOWAS thus responds to criticism from the CNSP, whose spokesperson expressed indignation, due to the participation in the summit of members of Mohamed Bazoum’s government. A provocation, according to him, “likely to undermine any effort to find a diplomatic and negotiated solution to the current political situation”.
ECOWAS appointed a committee on Sunday to initiate discussions with the CNSP.
The organization paves the way for sanctions relief, while asking Niamey to commit to a road map for a short-term transition.
Read alsoECOWAS maintains its sanctions against Niger but does not close the door to dialogue