Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ West African leaders convened in Abuja on December 10th to address the deepening political crisis, escalating jihadist threats in the Sahel, and criticism of leadership in certain member countries.
Key Focus: Political Crisis in Niger
The political crisis in Niger took center stage during the discussions. A commission was established to engage with Niger’s ruling CNSP (Conseil National pour le Salut du Peuple) to determine progress towards a swift transition and other conditions for lifting sanctions.
“The authority decides to set up a committee of heads of state comprising the President of Togo, the President of Sierra Leone, and the President of Benin, to engage with CNSP and other stakeholders. The aim is to agree on a short transition roadmap, establish transition organs, and facilitate the creation of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the speedy restoration of constitutional order,” stated the president of the ECOWAS commission.
Sanctions and Conditions for Lifting Them
After the coup on July 26, ECOWAS imposed economic and financial sanctions on Niger. The conditions for lifting these sanctions were outlined by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray.
“The authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger. If the CNSP fails to comply with the outcomes of engagement with the committee, ECOWAS will maintain all sanctions, including the use of force, and will request the African Union and all other parties to enforce the target assumptions on members of the CMSP (Comité Militaire pour le Salut du Peuple) and their associates,” Touray stated.
Negotiation and Diplomacy with Niger’s Junta
Niger’s de facto ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani, sought mediation with Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé. General Tiani is reportedly willing to negotiate on the duration of the transition and the fate of the detained deposed leader, Mohamed Bazoum.
Call for Good Governance and Democracy Protection
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, urged West African leaders to prioritize good governance. He emphasized that good governance addresses the root causes of military intervention and contributes to socio-economic transformation and development. Tinubu highlighted the significance of democracy for fostering development, inclusiveness, and the well-being of the people.
The ECOWAS Chairman denounced attempts by some countries under military rule to form an Alliance of Sahel States, describing it as a “phantom attempt to divert attention from our mutual quest for democracy and good governance.”
In response to recent disturbances in Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau, Tinubu reiterated ECOWAS’ zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, underscoring the importance of protecting democracy.
