West African bloc maintains sanctions against Niger

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc decided Sunday to maintain sanctions imposed on Niger following a July military intervention that deposed elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Since the July 26 intervention, ECOWAS has imposed economic sanctions on Niger including the closure of borders with neighboring member countries aimed at reversing the coup and restoring constitutional order.

In a statement issued after their summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja, the leaders pegged the easing of the sanctions on “a short transition” period to civilian rule.

A commission of representatives from Benin, Togo and Sierra Leone will engage the Nigerien military administration “to agree on a short transition program” before a possible easing of sanctions.

Niger’s military leaders had proposed a three-year transition to democratic rule, which ECOWAS objected to.

The summit appointed Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Patrice Talon of Benin and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo as mediators in Niger's socio-political crisis.

The leaders also reiterated their demand for the immediate and unconditional release of former President Bazoum and other people imprisoned after the military takeover.

Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of Niger's presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government ever since the military overthrew Bazoum.