EVOWAS Urges Niger Junta to Reconsider Stepping Down
THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the Junta in Niger to use the time remaining to reconsider their stance and hand over power democratically.
ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, said this to newsmen in Abuja.
While slapping sanctions on Niger, the ECOWAS insisted that the regional bloc will not accept another coup in West Africa.
The ECOWAS Defence Chiefs have put forces on standby to intervene in the cris, while, also, sending delegates to negotiate with the Junta there.
“Even now, it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’etat.
“The real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coup d’etats in the region,” Omar Alieu Touray stated.
The regional bloc is also in negotiations with the military administrations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in a bid to return them to democracy after coups in the said countries.
The Junta in Niger now appear receptive to negotiations, haven expressed willingness to return to democratic rule, albeit after 3 years.
The ECOWAS, however, insist on an immersion handover to Civilian rule.