The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken decisive action by imposing financial sanctions on entities and individuals found to be lending support to the military junta in the Republic of Niger. As a pivotal development, ECOWAS leaders are set to convene on Thursday, marking the culmination of an ultimatum issued to the Nigerien military junta.

The disclosure came from Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, during an interaction with State House Correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday. President Tinubu has already issued a directive to the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the implementation of this ECOWAS directive, as outlined in accordance with the regional protocol.

With the ultimatum’s expiration date looming, the convening of ECOWAS leaders underscores the collective commitment to addressing the situation in Niger. The financial sanctions serve as a demonstration of ECOWAS’ determination to deter support for the military junta, signaling a coordinated regional effort to restore stability and democratic governance.

Ngelale said: ‘’I can report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta in the Niger Republic by the bloc of ECOWAS Heads of State.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on entities and individuals related to or involved with the military junta in Niger Republic.”

On the deadline given to the junta, Ngelale decried the reports linking the ECOWAS decision to President Tinubu.

“Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Public, the ECOWAS mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum.

“The office of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also serving as the Chairman of ECOWAS, seeks to emphasise this point.

‘’Certain domestic and international media coverage tends towards personalization of the ECOWAS sub-regional position to his person and to our nation individually.

“It is because of this that Mr. President has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’s position,” the presidential aide added.

The sub-regional body had on July 30 given the military junta to restore constitutional order in Niger.

The West leaders also threatened to use military force on the coup leaders if they failed to comply with the directive at the expiration of the ultimatum.

They also imposed a no-fly zone on Niger.

Nigeria had also cut off the power supply to the landlocked West African country.

The impending meeting of ECOWAS leaders and President Tinubu’s directive to the CBN governor further emphasize the urgency and seriousness of the matter, shedding light on the regional response to the evolving situation in the Republic of Niger.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *