In a decisive move, the African Union (AU) has directed its commission to prepare a roster of individuals associated with the military junta and their allies in Niger Republic. These details will be employed to impose targeted sanctions and institute “individual punitive measures,” augmenting the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) existing sanctions on the junta, an approach that the AU also gave its approval to.
In a broader scope, the AU is requesting a comprehensive evaluation of the impact generated by the ECOWAS standby force. This request follows ECOWAS’ expressed intent to resort to military intervention if the coup leaders fail to reinstate democratic governance and reinstall former President Mohamed Bazoum. Notably, ECOWAS has rejected the new military government’s three-year democratization plan for the Sahel nation.
As part of these unfolding events, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former military Head of State and the ECOWAS delegation leader to Niger, formally conveyed the junta’s conditions for settling the political crisis in the country to President Bola Tinubu at Abuja’s Presidential Villa. This move coincided with the tragic news of 12 soldiers losing their lives to suspected armed Islamists in Niger’s remote Southwest, according to state television reports.
The AU’s resolutions, as outlined in a communique issued on August 14th, were formulated during a council meeting. The AU has suspended Niger from all its activities and urged its members to abstain from actions that could inadvertently legitimize the junta. The coup’s aftermath has sparked concerns among Western allies and democratic African nations, who apprehend potential expansion of Islamist groups’ influence in the Sahel region and Russia’s increased foothold.
While ECOWAS has been actively engaged in negotiations with the junta, the regional bloc has expressed its readiness to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic initiatives falter. Significantly, ECOWAS mediator Abdulsalami Abubakar indicated progress, describing his recent visit to Niger as “very fruitful.” He expressed optimism for a peaceful resolution but did not provide further details.
The AU Peace and Security Council has recognized ECOWAS’ activation of a standby force and tasked the AU Commission with evaluating the economic, social, and security consequences of deploying such a force. The AU has reiterated its demand for the immediate release of detained elected President Mohamed Bazoum and the junta’s return to their barracks.
Nonetheless, the ECOWAS Parliament, one of the regional bloc’s integral institutions, maintains its stance against military intervention. Nigeria’s representative, Senator Ali Ndume, highlighted the significant ramifications of such intervention and underscored the necessity of pursuing a diplomatic solution.