Coup D’état: 7-day ultimatum ends, will Tinubu-led ECOWAS attack? Fresh details emerge

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Niger Republic succumbed to another coup d'état when the country's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, has announced some sanctions, including a possible military intervention if the coup leaders refuse to leave power.

Emerging reports have confirmed that the General Abdourahamane Tchiani-led military government in the Niger Republic has shut down the country's air space amid threats of imminent military intervention from external forces.

As reported by Channels Television, this is coming after the deadline for surrender issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) elapsed on Sunday, August 6.

It was gathered that at the closure of its air space, General Tchiani warned that an attempt to invade Niger's air space would be translated as war and would be met with an “energetic and immediate response.”

He said: “Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice.”

President Tinubu has been urged to focus more on a clamp down on Boko Haram, bandits and the agitators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Full list of ECOWAS sanctions on Niger Republic

The Republic of Niger is still under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military junta who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, the legitimate and democratic leader of the West African country.

Several attempts have been made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve how democratic governance can be restored to President Bazoum, who is currently in the captivity of General Tchiani.

General Tchiani and his allied forces of Mali and Guinea Bissau have since declined any room for negotiation or return to democratic leadership.

This is after the ECOWAS had issued a seven-day deadline for General Tchiani and his cohorts to surrender or face stern sanctions.

Below are the sanctions ECOWAS threatened Niger with.

1. Border closure

The ECOWAS noted that there would be an immediate sanction on Niger, including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, establishing a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.

2. Frozen Assets

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led ECOWAS threatened that the assets of the Republic of Niger in the ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks would be frozen.

3. Financial Suspension

ECOWAS said Niger will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.

4. Travel Ban

ECOWAS said travel bans and asset freezes would be imposed on the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institution or government established by these army officials.