By Daniel Edu

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken significant measures by imposing intensified financial sanctions on the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali due to the recent coup in Niger Republic.

In response to the coup that took place in Niger, ECOWAS had previously issued a seven-day ultimatum to the coup leaders, demanding the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum. Failure to comply with this ultimatum would result in sanctions, including potential military intervention.

As the ultimatum expired, ECOWAS convened a meeting on Monday to reassess the situation in Niger. This meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.

Despite the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, the coup leaders in Niger seemed undeterred and expressed their resolve to resist any foreign intervention on their sovereign territory. The military junta declined to meet with delegations from the African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, and the United States, aimed at resolving the political crisis resulting from the coup.

Previously, the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed additional sanctions targeted at individuals and entities connected to the Niger military junta. However, a confidential source within the presidency disclosed that ECOWAS’ new sanctions extend to Mali and Burkina Faso.

According to the unnamed source, both Mali and Burkina Faso openly supported the coup in Niger and have now fallen under the purview of the ECOWAS sanctions. These sanctions affect any entity engaged in business with the Niger Republic, encompassing a broad range of interactions.

The source clarified, “The ECOWAS sanction includes both Burkina Faso and Mali. Any and all entities conducting business with the Niger Republic are affected. There’s no hidden implication; it’s straightforward.”