* Says ultimatum failed to achieve result
By Mathew Dadiya
The second extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has started at the Presidential Villa, Abuja as the military junta in Niger Republic kept deaf ear to the 7-day ultimatum issued by the subregional body to restore the overthrowned democratic President Mohamed Bazoum.
ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, told his counterparts on Thursday, to prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue to convince the coup leaders in the French speaking country.
The meeting was summoned to deliberate on the socio-political situation in the country where the regional body has sought to pressure the military to return to constitutional order.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Tinubu noted that ECOWAS had called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government and
proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that “this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.”
Regrettably, Tinubu said, “the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome.
“We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation.”
The President said that the summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since the leaders’ last gathering.
He stressed the need to evaluate the effectiveness of the regional interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress.
According to him, only through this comprehensive assessment can ECOWAS collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.
“Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach.
“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.
“It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.
“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all,” he explained.
The ECOWAS leader stressed that the Thursday’s summit was a gathering with “a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation.”