The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a decisive step by imposing financial penalties on entities and individuals providing backing to the military junta in the Republic of Niger. As the ultimatum set for the Niger military junta’s response approaches its expiration, ECOWAS leaders are gearing up for a crucial meeting scheduled for Thursday.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, revealed this development during a briefing with State House Correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday. Ngelale confirmed that President Tinubu has already instructed the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the enforcement of these sanctions, aligning with the guidelines stipulated in the ECOWAS protocol.
Ngelale said: ‘’I can report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta in the Niger Republic by the bloc of ECOWAS Heads of State.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on entities and individuals related to or involved with the military junta in Niger Republic.”
On the deadline given to the junta, Ngelale decried the reports linking the ECOWAS decision to President Tinubu.
“Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Public, the ECOWAS mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum.
“The office of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also serving as the Chairman of ECOWAS, seeks to emphasise this point.
‘’Certain domestic and international media coverage tends towards personalization of the ECOWAS sub-regional position to his person and to our nation individually.
“It is because of this that Mr. President has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’s position,” the presidential aide added.
The sub-regional body had on July 30 given the military junta to restore constitutional order in Niger.
The West leaders also threatened to use military force on the coup leaders if they failed to comply with the directive at the expiration of the ultimatum.
They also imposed a no-fly zone on Niger.
Nigeria had also cut off the power supply to the landlocked West African country.
With tensions mounting and the situation evolving rapidly, the forthcoming ECOWAS summit holds paramount significance. As the deadline set for the Niger military junta’s response looms, regional leaders are poised to deliberate on strategies and actions to address the unfolding crisis. The imposition of financial sanctions underscores the collective determination of ECOWAS to assert its stance against any support for the military junta.
The developments underscore the urgency and gravity of the situation as West African nations unite to uphold democratic principles and stability in the region.