ECOWAS Bloc Gives Ultimatum to Niger’s New Military Leaders
Pro-coup protesters in Niger have burned French flags in the capital city of Niamey, as West African nations impose sanctions and threaten force if the country’s coup leaders do not reinstate ousted President Mohammed Bazoum within a week. The military takeover marks the Sahel region’s seventh coup since 2020.
At an emergency summit in Nigeria, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger, warning of reprisals if their demands were not met. The communique issued by ECOWAS stated that “such measures may include the use of force,” and defense officials would meet immediately to discuss the implementation of these measures.
Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who came to power through a coup in 2021, met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the summit and offered to speak to the military leaders in Niger. ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union announced immediate measures, including the closure of borders with Niger, a ban on commercial flights, a halt to financial transactions, the freezing of national assets, and the termination of aid. Military officials involved in the coup will also face travel bans and asset freezes.
Niger’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, who was abroad when the coup took place, stated that the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS would be disastrous for Niger, as the country heavily relies on international partners to cover its budgetary needs.
Similar sanctions have been imposed by ECOWAS on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea following coups in those countries in the past three years. However, these measures have tended to hurt civilians more than the military leaders who seized power in some of the world’s poorest nations.
The coup in Niger has been widely condemned by neighboring countries and international partners, including the United States, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and former colonial power France. These countries have refused to recognize the new leaders and have expressed concerns about the potential rise of Russian influence in the region.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and heavily relies on foreign aid. It is also a key ally in Western campaigns against insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in the Sahel. The country is the seventh-largest producer of uranium, which is widely used for nuclear energy and in nuclear weapons.
Thousands of French troops were forced to withdraw from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso following coups in those countries, further raising concerns about the stability and security of the region.
In response to the coup, thousands of people rallied in the capital, with some heading to the French embassy to express their discontent against France’s interference in Niger’s affairs. Similar to events in neighboring Burkina Faso last year, some protestors attempted to climb the embassy walls, and others burned French flags. The protests were dispersed by the Niger national guard.
France condemned the violence and warned that anyone attacking its nationals or interests would face a stern response. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an end to the era of coups in Africa, stating that they are not acceptable.
The European Union and France have cut off financial support to Niger, and the United States has threatened to do the same. Russia’s Wagner mercenary boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has also expressed support for the coup and offered his fighters’ services to bring order.
The situation remains tense, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in Niger. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the coup leaders will reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum and restore constitutional order, or if ECOWAS’s ultimatum will lead to further escalation in the region.