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The West African Economic Community calls for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum.
The West African economic community Ecowas has threatened the new military rulers in Niger with severe sanctions and violence. An emergency meeting of the 15 states called for the immediate reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was placed under house arrest in a coup on Wednesday. If the constitutional order in Niger is not fully restored within a week, Ecowas will take “measures that may include the use of force,” the organization said after the summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja.
Sanctions by West African countries
Ecowas also threatened legal prosecution of the military junta. Trade and financial transactions between Ecowas member states and Niger would be suspended and the country’s borders closed. Ecowas called on the central banks of its member states to freeze the assets of Nigerien state and semi-state companies and the military involved in the coup.
In addition, all financial transactions with Nigerien financial institutions would be suspended. Ecowas will immediately appoint a special representative and send him to Niger to convey the demands to the military junta.
Military government warns against foreign intervention
In return, the military junta in Niger warned the Ecowas against foreign intervention. A spokesman for the military government said: “We would like to once again remind Ecowas or other adventurers that we are firmly committed to defending our homeland.” The military government under General Abdourahamane Tchiani also called on the citizens of the capital Niamey to protest against Ecowas.
Legend:
Supporters of the military junta demonstrate in front of the parliament building in Niamey, also waving Russian flags.
Keystone/EPA, ISSIFOU DJIBO
More than a thousand supporters of the junta took to the streets in Niamey on Sunday. Some also moved in front of the embassy of the former colonial power France. They threw stones at the embassy and shouted anti-France slogans. Nigerien security forces pushed back the stone throwers. Supporters of the new military rulers also waved Russian flags.
Paris does not want to tolerate attacks
The Élysée Palace in Paris said that French President Emmanuel Macron would not tolerate any attack on France and its interests. France will respond immediately and relentlessly to any attack on its citizens, diplomats and institutions. The French Foreign Ministry said Paris is calling on Nigerien forces to fulfill their responsibilities to ensure the security of French diplomatic and consular missions in the country.