By Alex Adi
The ECOWAS Authority of Head of States has instructed Niger’s CSNP leadership to unconditionally release from detention President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates with immediate effect.
The directive is part of efforts to ease tensions in the country. As part of the conditions, heads of state from Benin, Togo and Sierra Leone would engage with Niger’s CNSP to decide on progress towards a transition for lifting of sanctions.
These were some resolutions in a communique issued at the end of the 64th ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Oumar Alieu Touray also spelt out other resolutions in the communique directed at restoring stability to affected member states. In the communique, ECOWAS is determined to eradicate extremism and other threats to the region’s peace, security and stability.
On The Gambia, the Authority implored the government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of the new constitution ahead of the 2026 general election, as well as the implementation of the white paper on the recommendations of the Truth, Reparation, and Reconciliation Commission. The authority also extended the mandate of the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia by one year.
On Guinea Bissau, the leaders strongly condemned the violence that erupted in Bissau on December 1, 2023, and all attempts to disrupt the constitutional order and rule of law in that country. The regional bloc also condemned the attempted coup in Sierra Leone on November 26, 2023, and was worried over the loss of lives and destruction of property.
On the transition process in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali, the ECOWAS authority welcomed the successful national referendum in Mali and commended the transition authorities for the efforts deployed to restore normalcy.
The ECOWAS commission plans to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government aimed at promoting peace, security, and democracy in the region.
