Once more, ECOWAS leaders arrange committee to barter with Niger junta

West African heads of presidency resolved on Sunday to arrange one other committee to barter with the navy junta in Niger, making it at the very least the third committee arrange by the regional physique, ECOWAS, to barter with navy rulers who sacked President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup in July.

The brand new committee contains the presidents of Togo, Sierra Leone and Benin and can attempt to get a dedication to a brief democratic transition from the Niger junta (CMSP) in addition to safe the discharge of Mr Bazoum, his household and a few of his associates.

“The Authority decides to arrange a committee of Heads of State made up of the President and Head of State of the Republic of Togo, the President and the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Benin, to interact with the CMSP and different stakeholders with a view to agreeing on a brief transition roadmap, establishing transition organs in addition to facilitating the organising of a transition monitoring and analysis mechanism in direction of this speedy restoration of constitutional order,” the communique states.

Particulars of the communique of the ECOWAS leaders have been learn by Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Fee, on the finish of the sixty fourth extraordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Authorities of ECOWAS, on Sunday in Abuja.

“Based mostly on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of Heads of state with the CMSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger.

“Within the occasion of failure by the CMSP to adjust to the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall preserve all sanctions, together with the usage of pressure, and shall request the African Union and all different companions to implement the focused sanctions on members of the CMSP and their associates,” the communique states, in response to a press assertion by Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria.

Sunday’s resolutions affirm that the ECOWAS leaders are not eager on the usage of pressure to revive constitutional order in Niger and as an alternative hope extra dialogue with the putschists will result in a return to democracy.

For the reason that July coup, ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger together with commerce restrictions and freezing of accounts.

Aside from the decision on Niger, the ECOWAS leaders additionally resolved to urgently overview efforts to activate a standby pressure for counterterrorism operations in areas affected by terrorist teams within the area.

Learn, under, the total assertion by Mr Ngelale on the resolutions reached by the ECOWAS leaders.

ECOWAS TO READY STANDBY FORCE FOR COUNTERTERRORISM, PROMISES GRADUAL EASING OF SANCTIONS ON NIGER REPUBLIC

ECOWAS leaders have resolved to urgently overview efforts to activate a standby pressure for counterterrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist teams.

A communiqué learn by Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Fee, on the finish of the sixty fourth extraordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Authorities of ECOWAS, on Sunday in Abuja, mentioned the leaders reiterated their dedication to the eradication of terrorism and different threats to peace, safety, and stability within the area.

Additionally they resolved to carry a unprecedented summit on unconstitutional adjustments of presidency geared toward selling peace, safety, and democracy within the area.

The ECOWAS leaders directed the fee to embark on deep reflection and discover the potential of convening the extraordinary summit.

The Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Authorities, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, established a committee of Heads of State to interact with CMSP, the navy junta in Niger Republic, on the necessity for a brief transition roadmap and the emplacement of monitoring mechanisms.

The Authority promised a gradual easing of sanctions based mostly on the outcomes of the engagement, emphasizing the necessity for the instant and unconditional launch of detained President Mohammed Bazoum.

“The Authority deeply deplores the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his household and associates by the CMSP regime.

“The Authority additional deplores the dearth of dedication on the a part of the CMSP to revive constitutional order. Consequently, the Authority calls on the CMSP to launch President Mohammed Bazoum, his household, and associates instantly and with out precondition.

“The Authority decides to arrange a committee of Heads of State made up of the President and Head of State of the Republic of Togo, the President and the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Benin, to interact with the CMSP and different stakeholders with a view to agreeing on a brief transition roadmap, establishing transition organs in addition to facilitating the organising of a transition monitoring and analysis mechanism in direction of this speedy restoration of constitutional order.

“Based mostly on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of Heads of state with the CMSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger.

“Within the occasion of failure by the CMSP to adjust to the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall preserve all sanctions, together with the usage of pressure, and shall request the African Union and all different companions to implement the focused sanctions on members of the CMSP and their associates,” the communique learn.

On the assembly chaired by President Bola Tinubu, the regional leaders counseled the efforts being made by member states and the ECOWAS fee to work on the consolidation of democracy, peace, safety, and stability within the area.

The Authority famous, specifically, the peaceable elections that befell through the yr in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and welcomed the peaceable decision of the electoral dispute in Nigeria, in addition to the peaceable end result of the dialogue between the opposition and the federal government within the Republic of Sierra Leone.

On the struggle towards terrorism and different associated safety issues, the leaders instructed the fee to expedite the convening of the assembly of ministers of finance and defence to agree on the modalities for the mobilization of inner monetary, human, and materials sources on a compulsory foundation to assist the deployment of the regional counterterrorism pressure.

“The Authority takes observe of the graduation of task by the Particular Envoy on Counterterrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, and directs the fee to facilitate his mission.

“The Authority directs the fee to accentuate collaboration with sub-regional counterterrorism initiatives such because the Accra initiative and MTJN and urges member states to extend funding for joint maritime operations and workout routines within the area and to enhance coordination and collaboration amongst numerous ministries, departments, and companies liable for maritime safety,” the communique learn.

On The Gambia, the Authority implored the federal government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of the brand new structure forward of the 2026 normal elections, in addition to the implementation of the white paper on the suggestions of the Fact, Reparation, and Reconciliation Fee.

They prolonged the mandate of the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia by one yr and instructed the mission to proceed to assist The Gambia within the implementation of the white paper and wanted defence on safety sector reforms.

On Guinea Bissau, the leaders strongly condemned the violence that erupted in Bissau on 1 December 2023, and all makes an attempt to disrupt the constitutional order and rule of regulation within the nation.

Commending the motion of the loyal members of the safety forces of Guinea Bissau, they expressed solidarity with the individuals and the constitutional authority of the nation.

The ECOWAS stabilization assist mission in Guinea Bissau was prolonged, whereas the fee was instructed to take steps to overview the mandate of the mission.

READ ALSO: Niger junta recalcitrant, interfering with humanitarian entry – ECOWAS Fee

Condemning the tried coup in Sierra Leone on 26 November 2023, the leaders expressed unhappiness over the lack of lives and destruction of property and known as for a radical and clear investigation to establish and convey perpetrators to justice.

They applauded the signing of the settlement for nationwide unity ensuing from mediated dialogue between the federal government and the opposition occasion in Sierra Leone and known as on all events and stakeholders to implement the settlement in good religion inside the specified timeframe.

ECOWAS leaders directed the fee to proceed supporting Sierra Leone and facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS standby safety mission for stabilization.

On Senegal, the Authority of Heads of State and authorities took observe of preparations for the 25 February 2024 presidential election within the nation, whereas urging inclusivity and transparency within the electoral course of.

They known as on the Senegalese authorities and stakeholders to stick strictly to constitutional norms, ECOWAS protocols, and the rule of regulation in managing all electoral processes.

Ajuri Ngelale

Particular Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

December 10, 2023