ECOWAS unleashes military standby force on Niger junta
ECOWAS took the decision after its Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given a matching order to its military standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.
This was announced by the President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, while reading the resolution of the regional bloc on the Niger coup at an ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday, August 10, 2023.
ECOWAS also called on the African Union, partner countries, and institutions to rally behind its resolution aimed at freeing and reinstating the deposed democratically elected President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
Recall that Bazoum was ousted on July 26, 2023, by a military junta headed by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, and the putschists have defiantly rejected every effort by ECOWAS to dialogue while continuing to hold the President and his family members in detention.
“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS stand-by force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
ECOWAS had earlier given the Niger military leaders a seven-day ultimatum to restore constitutional order in the West African country but they instead went ahead to appoint a Prime Minister in a move that indicated their resolve to set up a new government.
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