ECOWAS suspends Niger Republic over coup, asks for review of transition period

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially suspended Niger Republic until constitutional order is restored in the country.

The commission made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.

In July, soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on account of “bad governance and worsening security”.

In response, ECOWAS imposed trade sanctions on Niger and threatened military intervention. However, there has been little success in attempts to restore constitutional order in the country.

On Sunday, the ECOWAS leaders asked the military junta to release the deposed president in exchange for lifting the sanctions imposed on the country but Tiani rejected the proposal.

Taking another approach at the summit of heads of state and government held on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, the commission suspended Niger from all decision-making organs of ECOWAS.

According to the statement, the commission said during the summit, it recognised that Bazoum’s government had effectively been overthrown by a military coup, and as such, Niger would be suspended until constitutional order is restored in the country.

“Until the 64th ordinary session held on Dec. 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State,” the statement said.

“Due to this position, Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS’ decision-making bodies and members of Bazoum’s government were authorized to represent Niger in ECOWAS’ statutory meetings.”

The bloc also asked the junta to shorten the duration of the transition period, currently set at three years.

Although Tiani agreed to this request, he did not specify how long the transition period would be revised to.

The sub-regional body also announced the maintenance of sanctions against Niger.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea Bissau, three countries that are part of a military-led belt spanning Africa’s Sahel, have also been suspended from ECOWAS.