Niger/Political Crisis: After nearly five (05) months, ECOWAS officialises Niger’s Coup D’Etat

Almost five months after the coup d’état in Niger led by the National council for the safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which ousted former President Mohamed Bazoum, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has now formalized the military intervention and suspended the country from its decision-making bodies.

This clarification was provided on Thursday, December 14, 2023, by the ECOWAS Commission in a press release.

Since July 26, ECOWAS had been hoping to reinstate Bazoum to the presidential seat, but he has refused to sign his resignation.

For ECOWAS, the military action was deemed an attempted coup d’état, which they intended to resolve promptly.

Leaders of this sub-regional organization were surprised to see that the situation had taken a different turn, and the CNSP was determined to proceed.

According to the Commission’s press release, the coup d’état in Niger was officially acknowledged during the 64th ordinary session of ECOWAS held on Sunday, December 10, leading to the country’s suspension from all ECOWAS bodies.

It’s noteworthy that the ECOWAS Commission made this announcement after the CNSP denounced the participation of members of the deposed government at this session.

The delay in acknowledging the coup and suspending the country raises questions about why it was not done immediately after the meeting.

Moreover, the heavy sanctions imposed on Niger since July 30 were initially for the attempted coup?

Such incomprehensible and seemingly unjust behavior on the part of ECOWAS calls into question the credibility and good faith of the organization, prompting criticism from conscientious African individuals who aspire to a free and better Africa.

Read again: International NGOs express disappointment at lack of humanitarian exemptions in ECOWAS sanctions against Niger

Yann ETERNEL