All sub-regional organizations have formally suspended the Republic of Niger by the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEDEAO) until the country's constitutional order is restored.The regional organization made this announcement in response to the choices made during the Sunday summit of leaders of state and government in Abuja.
"The Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum, the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State until the 64th ordinary session held on Dec. 10, 2023," the statement read.
Niger was allowed to be represented in ECOWAS statutory meetings by members of Bazoum's government, and Niger was not barred from the organization's decision-making bodies as a result.
The Dec. 10 summit acknowledged that a military coup had essentially toppled Mohamed Bazoum's administration.
As a result, Niger would not be allowed to participate in any ECOWAS decision-making processes beyond December 10, 2023, until the country's constitutional order has been restored, according to the statement.
The ECOWAS leaders met in Abuja on Sunday and requested that the country's sanctions be lifted in exchange for the release of Mohamed Bazoum, the president of Niger who was overthrown in a coup on July 26.
But Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the junta, turned down the request and insisted that Bazoum would not be freed.
Following the summit, the bloc asked the junta to shorten the transition time, which is now set at three years, and proposed lifting the sanctions in exchange for the deposed president's freedom.
Tchiani granted this final request, albeit he did not say how much.
The sub-regional organization also declared that sanctions against Niger will remain in place.