Abderrahmane Chiane, head of Niger’s military junta, on Thursday rejected the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in response to last week’s coup, calling them illegal, unfair and inhumane.
Chiani said in a televised speech that Niger will not submit to regional and international pressure to return President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
The following are the highlights of Chiani’s speech:
• We received with shock the sanctions of “ECOWAS” without consultation and without mediating measures.
• There is hope for change and the fight against terrorism, and we will not betray the trust of the people of Niger.
• The vast majority of the people put their trust in our council to save the country.
• Those who oppose us are those who have relations with foreign lobbies.
Hostile and radical external positions will not have any effect.
• We will make every effort, in cooperation with the international community, to fight terrorism.
• The opposition that was formed represents lobbies subject to external dictates.
ECOWAS punishes the coup leaders
Last Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced at its emergency summit the imposition of a series of sanctions on the leaders of the military coup in Niger. The group did not rule out the use of force against the putschists, whom it gave a week to hand over power.
The ECOWAS decisions included the following:
Imposing travel bans and asset freezes on military officials involved in the attempted coup in Niger.
• Freezing the assets of the Republic of Niger in the central banks of its member states.
• Stopping all commercial and financial transactions between Niger and all its member states.
• Call for the full restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
• The immediate release of the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, and his return to power.
• Giving the coup leaders a one-week deadline to hand over power, while not ruling out the use of force.
These decisions came after the 15-member ECOWAS leaders met at an emergency summit, held in Abuja, Nigeria, against the background of the coup that took place last week in Niger.
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2023-08-02 20:55:33
