West Africa
Niger coup: ECOWAS gives Tchaini a 7-day ultimatum to reinstate Bazoom as president
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government is not taking the coup by General Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niger Republic lightly as it has isdued a seven-day ultimatum within which he must return power to Mohammed Bazoom.
This is coming as part of the resolutions arrived at during the emergency meeting of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja on Sunday.
A stern warning followed as part of other resolutions that if the alleged coup plotters failed to restore political stability in seven days, ECOWAS may use force.
ECOWAS had also directed the chiefs of defense staff of member states to meet immediately.
According to Omar Alieu-Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who read out the resolutions, the leaders have ordered the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger.
Other immediate sanctions by ECOWAS, include the imposition of a no fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.
He also announced the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger, including the freezing of all service transactions, including energy transactions, as well as the freezing of the assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks.
Present at the summit were the following heads of state and government and mandated representatives: His Excellency, President Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin, President Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana.
Others are General Omar Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, President Faure Gnassingbé of the Togolese Republic. The representative of the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, the representative of the President of the Republic of Liberia, the representative of President Bazoom, President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, the representative of President Julius Maada Wonie Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Others include Omar Al Turia, president of the ECOWAS, Musa Faki, Muhammad, chairperson of the African Union Commission, Leonardo Santos Simão, who was special representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of Universe, including Mr Job, President of the Commission of UMR.
Touray said the principle of zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government as enshrined in the ECOWAS and African Union protocols and other instruments remains in force.
His words, “ECOWAS resolve as follows.
“One, His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoom remains the legitimate, elected president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, recognized by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.
“In this regard, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS.
“Condemn in the strongest terms, the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum, President and head of state of Niger, as well as members of his family and government.
“Call for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohammed Bazoum as president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Nigeria.
“Reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from His Excellency, President Mohammed Bazoum.
“Consider the illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup d’etat solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.
“In the event, the authorities’ demands are not met within one week. Take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.
“Hold accountable, all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents of Niger.
“Condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors. Express our appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS.
“Appoint and dispatch a special representative of the chair of the authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the authority.
“In the meantime, the following measures are to be applied with immediate effect.
“Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger.
” Institution of ECOWAS, no fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.
” Freeze all service transactions, including energy transactions. Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks. Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of measures from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID, and BAORD.
“Calls WAHU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision.
“Impose travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt. The same applies to their family members, and the civilians who accept transactions, in any institutions or government, established by these military officials.
“Express appreciation to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu. President and Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the manner in which he has conducted the affairs of the community since his election as chair of the ECOWAS authority”.
Nigerian statesman and former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has congratulated Ghana’s President, John Dramani Maham, on his re-election and inauguration for another term in office.
In a statement issued via his X handle, Obi hailed Mahama’s victory in Ghana’s December 7, 2024, election as a resounding mandate for national renewal and inclusive governance.
Obi praised the Ghanaian leader’s triumph as a reflection of the people’s yearning for progress, stability, and development. He urged Mahama to prioritize policies that promote equity, accountability, and economic resilience, ensuring the welfare of all Ghanaians.
“May this new chapter be defined by peace, prosperity, and the fulfillment of Ghana’s collective aspirations,” Obi stated. He emphasized that Mahama’s leadership should inspire the rest of Africa to pursue unity, growth, and sustainable development.
Political analysts have interpreted Obi’s message as a call for closer collaboration among African nations to address shared challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and economic disparities.
Obi further invoked the legacy of Ghana’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah, urging Mahama to uphold the Pan-African vision of integration and continental progress.
Observers note that the bond between Obi and Mahama symbolizes a shift toward stronger West African cooperation amid mounting socio-economic and security concerns.
Ghanaians now look to Mahama’s administration to deliver on campaign promises, particularly in areas such as job creation, education, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Obi’s remarks have sparked widespread praise across social media, with many commending his statesmanship and Pan-African outlook.
As Mahama begins his new term, all eyes remain on how his leadership will address Ghana’s pressing needs while serving as a beacon of progress for Africa’s future.
Ghana’s Supreme Court has upheld the controversial Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, rejecting two bids to overturn it. The bill, which severely curtails LGBTQ rights, was approved by Ghana’s Parliament in February and has since sparked international condemnation, particularly from human rights groups and western countries.
The legislation mandates jail terms of six months to three years for individuals found engaging in LGBTQ sex, a move that has garnered significant public support within the conservative country. However, the bill has faced criticism from the global community, including the United States, and raised concerns within Ghana’s finance ministry over the potential risk of losing billions of dollars in World Bank funding.
The court’s ruling, delivered by judge Avril Lovelace-Johnson, emphasized that the bill cannot be acted upon until it receives ratification from the outgoing president, Nana Akufo-Addo, who is set to step down on January 7 after serving two terms in office. Akufo-Addo has stated that he would wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling before making a decision on whether to sign the bill into law.
Judge Lovelace-Johnson clarified, “Until there is presidential assent to the bill, there is no act of which the Supreme Court will use its supervisory jurisdiction to overturn.” The decision follows legal challenges from Ghanaian broadcaster Richard Dela-Sky and university researcher Amanda Odoi, who questioned the constitutionality of the bill.
Former Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama has made a stunning political comeback, securing victory in the nation’s fiercely contested 2024 presidential election.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate edged out his main rival, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a heartfelt concession speech delivered on Sunday, Mr. Bawumia acknowledged the NDC’s victory, citing internal data that indicated Mr. Mahama had won both the presidential and parliamentary polls.
“The people of Ghana have spoken, and I congratulate Mr. Mahama on his victory,” Bawumia stated.
Saturday’s election saw high voter turnout across the country as Ghanaians cast their ballots in what many described as one of the most competitive elections in recent history.
Although the Electoral Commission of Ghana has yet to officially declare the final results, Mr. Mahama’s win has been widely celebrated by his supporters, signaling the NDC’s return to power after losing the presidency in 2016.
John Mahama previously served as president from 2012 to 2017 and is expected to focus on addressing Ghana’s economic challenges and fostering unity in his new term.
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