ECOWAS, the West Africa regional bloc, has issued a one-week ultimatum to the leaders of the recent coup in Niger to reinstate the ousted President Mohammed Bazoum. Failure to comply may result in sanctions and the potential use of force. The regional leaders gathered in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and discussed punitive measures that could include financial and travel sanctions, as well as the establishment of a no-fly zone.
In addition, ECOWAS defence chiefs will convene immediately to explore the possibility of military action. They also condemned the support received by the coup leaders from certain foreign nations and military contractors.
The coup in Niger has garnered widespread condemnation from neighboring countries and international partners, including the United States, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and France, the country’s former colonial power.
However, the boss of Russia’s private Wagner mercenary force, Yevgeny Prigozhin, viewed the coup as a positive development and offered the services of his fighters.
This news was reported by Felix Onuah, with writing contributions from MacDonald Dzirutwe. Angus MacSwan and Andrew Cawthorne were responsible for editing.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
