ECOWAS meeting: Tinubu calls for diplomacy, dialogue in resolving Niger crisis

Bola Tinubu, chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and president of Nigeria, Thursday urged members of the West African bloc to “prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of their approach, towards resolving Niger’s political crises

The President in his welcome speech at the extraordinary meeting of the ECOWAS leaders, held in Abuja, regretted that all the efforts made so far to get the coup plotters in Niger to restore former President Mohammed Bazoum has failed to yield the desired results.

“As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government. We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.

“ Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation.

Leaders in the regional bloc had also dispatched Special Envoys to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria.

“During these engagements, the Envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya. This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in Niger.
“In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President of the country. These initiatives are aimed at presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African nations”

He also recalled how, the meeting of the Chiefs of Defense Staff Committee was duly held from August 2 to 4, 2023, adding that the outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments in Niger, will be presented during this Summit.

“These will offer critical insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this meeting”

The ECOWAS leader, who noted that today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since our last gathering, added that “It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress.

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“Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger. Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger,
“it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach. We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.

“It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.
“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.

“Today, we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation. During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.

According to the program sighted by BusinessDay, one of the facilitators and former Head of State of Nigeria, Abdulsalami Abubakar, is expected to provide an update at the meeting on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.