By Milcah Tanimu

President Bola Tinubu has communicated the decisions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the recent military intervention in Niger. The ECOWAS decision was conveyed in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during the plenary session on Friday.

In the letter, Tinubu, who serves as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, stated, “I present my modest compliments to the distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators. I do have the honour to inform you that, following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of the administration of His excellency President Mohammed Bazoum on 26 July 2023, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), under my leadership, condemns the coup in its entirety and resolves, alongside other members of the international community, to seek the return of a democratically elected government in Niger.”

Tinubu further explained that to restore peace and democracy in Niger, ECOWAS convened an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of States and Governments in Abuja on July 30. During this summit, member states, in accordance with Africa Union (AU) and ECOWAS protocols on constitutional changes of government, issued a communique outlining their course of action.

As Chair of ECOWAS, Nigeria assumes the responsibility of leading the implementation of the directives outlined in the communique, which includes the closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and the reactivation of border drill exercises. Additionally, the supply of electricity to Niger Republic will be cut off, and international support will be mobilized for the implementation of ECOWAS provisions. Commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic will also be affected.

Tinubu further revealed that goods in transit to Niger Republic, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports, will be subjected to blockage, and efforts will be made to sensitize Nigerians on the importance of ECOWAS actions, especially through social media. Furthermore, ECOWAS will ensure military buildup and deployment of personnel to enforce compliance with the military junta’s actions.