West African leaders yesterday took a step forward in their quest for the restoration of democracy in Niger Republic.
The sub-regional body, Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government raised a three-man negotiation team to mediate in the protracted political crisis in the country.
Led by President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, other members of the team are President Macky Sall of Sierra Leone and President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic.
The ECOWAS Authority, which is chaired by President Bola Tinubu, took the decision during its 64th Ordinary Session at the State House Conference Center in Abuja.
The team’s terms of reference are to negotiate Niger’s speedy return to democracy with the junta that seized power from the legitimate government led by Mohammed Bazoum, who is in detention, encourage the coup plotters to release a transition programme and facilitate the monitoring of the programme.
Besides, the ECOWAS Authority resolved to prevent any attempt to break the sub-regional group through foreign-sponsored alliances and set up a standby force for counterterrorism across region.
According to its communique read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, the leaders mandated the three-man Committee to interface with the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which is the military administration in Niger Republic.
It said the team was expected to rally the CNDP and other stakeholders to agree to a short transition roadmap and the establishment of transition organs and goals.
The Abdourahamane Tchiani-led CNSP had about a month ago requested that Togolese President Gnassingbe should lead the team to negotiate with it in resolving the impasse.
That followed the ousting in July the democratically elected administration of President Bazoum.
ECOWAS Authority said the outcome of the engagement with the CNSP will determine its subsequent resolutions; either to commence the progressive relieving of the imposed sanctions or sustain the sanctions, including the use of force, as well as requests for more actions against the junta from other international bodies.
The communiqué reads: “On the political situation in the Republic of Niger, the Authority recalled its decision at its extra ordinary summit of 30 July, 2023, and 10th August 2023.
“The Authority commends the efforts of the Chair of Authority, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, towards a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
“The Authority deeply deplores the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates by the CNSP administration. The Authority further deplores the lack of commitment on the part of the CNSP to restore constitutional order. Consequently, the Authority calls on the CNSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates immediately and without condition.
“The Authority decides to set up 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 engage with CNSP and other stakeholders, with a view to agreeing on a short transition roadmap, establishing transition organs, as well as facilitating the setting up of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism towards the speedy restoration of constitutional order.
“Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of heads of state with the CNSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger. Failure by the CNSP to comply with the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall maintain all sanctions, including the use of force and will request African Union and all other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CNSP and their associates.”
The ECOWAS Authority also rejected new moves by external interests to balkanise the region by creating alliances among member-states.
President Tinubu frowned at an attempt to distract the efforts at entrenching democratic culture in the region through the creation the ‘Alliance of the Sahel States’ among military-run member-states.
However, “the Authority rejects all forms of alliances that seek to divide the region and promote foreign interests in the region,” urging . member-states to ensure regional unity of action by strictly adhering to collective decisions taken at the level of the Authority”.
ECOWAS leaders also resolved to urgently review efforts at activating a standby force for counterterrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist groups.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a state that the leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism and other threats to peace, security, and stability in the region.
He said they also resolved to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government aimed at promoting peace, security, and democracy in the region.
Ngelale said ECOWAS leaders directed the commission to embark on deep reflection and explore the possibility of convening the extraordinary summit.
The regional leaders commended the efforts being made by member-states and the ECOWAS commission to work on the consolidation of democracy, peace, security, and stability in the region.
The Authority noted, in particular, the peaceful elections that took place in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
It hailed the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute in Nigeria, as well as the peaceful outcome of the dialogue between the opposition and the government in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
On the fight against terrorism and other related security matters, the leaders instructed the commission to convene the meeting of ministers of finance and defence to agree on the modalities for the mobilization of internal financial, human, and material resources on a mandatory basis to support the deployment of the regional counterterrorism force.
“The Authority takes note of the commencement of assignment by the Special Envoy on Counterterrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, and directs the commission to facilitate his mission.
“The Authority directs the commission to intensify collaboration with sub-regional counterterrorism initiatives such as the Accra initiative and MTJN and urges member states to increase funding for joint maritime operations and exercises in the region and to improve coordination and collaboration among various ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for maritime security.”
On The Gambia, the Authority implored the government and stakeholders to adopt a new constitution ahead of the 2026 general election and implement the white paper on the recommendations of the Truth, Reparation, and Reconciliation Commission.
The Authority extended the mandate of the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia by one year and instructed the mission to support the country in the implementation of the white paper on defence and security sector reforms.
The leaders condemned the violence that erupted in Guinea Bissau on December 1 and attempts to disrupt the constitutional order in the country.
Hailing the action of loyal members of the security forces in Guinea Bissau, the leaders expressed solidarity with the people and the constitutional authority in the country.
The ECOWAS stabilization support mission in Guinea Bissau was extended, while the commission was instructed to take steps to review the mandate of the mission.
Chiding those behind the attempted coup in Sierra Leone on November 26, the leaders expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction of property.
They called for a thorough and transparent investigation to identify and bring perpetrators to justice.
They applauded the signing of the agreement for national unity resulting from mediated dialogue between the government and the opposition party in Sierra Leone, and called on all parties and stakeholders to implement the agreement in good faith within the specified timeframe.
The leaders directed the commission to support Sierra Leone and facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS standby security mission for stabilization.
The Authority took note of preparations for the February 25, 2024 presidential election in Senegal, urging the government to ensure inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process.
The leaders also called on the Senegalese government and stakeholders to adhere strictly to constitutional norms, ECOWAS protocols, and the rule of law in managing electoral processes.
