High-level representatives hailing from the West African region have convened in Abuja for an emergency summit aimed at addressing the recent coup in Niger, subsequent to the military junta’s defiance of an ultimatum urging the restoration of elected President Bazoum.

The pivotal meeting took place in Abuja, Nigeria’s political capital, and was attended by several West African leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, who holds the role of Chairman within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Notable figures from the United Nations and African Union were also present at the event.

In his capacity as the convener, President Tinubu officially initiated the extraordinary gathering and emphasized the profound ramifications of the coup in Niger on the stability of democratically established governments within the sub-region.

He articulated the imperative of prioritizing diplomatic negotiations and open dialogue with the military junta in Niger to ameliorate the crisis.

President Tinubu expressed, “Reaffirming our unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and the welfare of the Nigerien people, it is of utmost importance that we place diplomatic negotiations and dialogue at the forefront of our strategy.

“We must engage all stakeholders, including the leaders of the coup, in sincere discussions aimed at persuading them to relinquish authority and reinstate President Bazoum. Our responsibility is to exhaust all possible avenues of engagement in order to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.”

The President further expounded, “In a more specific context, as leaders representing our respective nations, we must acknowledge that the political turmoil in Niger not only jeopardizes the nation’s stability but also casts extensive reverberations across the entire West African region.

“Through unwavering adherence to the principles of democracy, effective governance, and the rule of law, we can reestablish tranquility, stability, and prosperity within the Republic of Niger, thereby cultivating an environment conducive to comprehensive growth and development for all.”

“More so, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach.

“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.

“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.

“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.”

Following President Tinubu’s address, the summit transitioned into a confidential deliberation phase. The meeting, convened two weeks subsequent to the coup that ousted Mohamed Bazoum, who ascended to power in 2021, signifies ECOWAS’s proactive pursuit of a diplomatic resolution while keeping the prospect of employing force as a last resort.

Critical determinations are anticipated from the gathering held in Abuja, as ECOWAS endeavors to curtail the succession of coups among its member states that has been unfolding since 2020.

The coalition granted the military forces, which assumed control on July 26, a grace period until the prior Sunday to reinstate President Bazoum, aged 63, under the threat of potential military intervention.

In response to the crisis, Nigeria, among other measures including border closures, has suspended electricity supply to Niger as part of a series of economic sanctions.

Nonetheless, the leaders of the coup remained steadfast in their stance, and the deadline elapsed without any observed action.

Tinubu’s Full Speech at the Summit

Your Excellency, the President of the ECOWAS Commission;

Your Excellency, President of the African Union Commission;

Your Excellency, President of the UEMOA Commission;

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in West Africa and the Sahel; and

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Let me commence by welcoming you all to the Second (2nd) Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, within the space of ten days. Your presence here, despite the short notice, demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our esteemed community to finding a lasting solution to the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

2. Today, we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation. During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military take over and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government. We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger. Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation. One of the facilitators, former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.

4. Similarly, as part of a coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria. During these engagements, the Envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya. This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in Niger. In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President of the country. These initiatives are aimed at presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African nations.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. Following the resolution of our previous Extraordinary Summit to initiate a meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was duly held from 2nd to 4thAugust, 2023. The outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments in Niger, will be presented during this Summit. These will offer critical insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this meeting.

6. Today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since our last gathering. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress. Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.

Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach. We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.

7. More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region. By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.

Esteemed Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. I am confident that this 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger will be a defining moment in our journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and integrated West Africa. Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Africans as we strive to build a future defined by peace, progress, and prosperity.

9. In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust that our deliberations will be productive and fruitful, leading us to find an amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger. As we continue to work together in solidarity and harmony, we can ensure a prosperous future for the entire West African region.

10. With these remarks, I hereby declare this Extraordinary Summit open.

Thank you all, for your attention.