ECOWAS Enforces Financial Sanctions Against Supporters of Niger Military Junta

In a bid to exert pressure on the military junta in the Republic of Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken decisive action by imposing financial sanctions on entities and individuals providing assistance to the junta. The move comes as the deadline set by ECOWAS leaders for the military junta approaches.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this development during a briefing with State House Correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday. Ngelale conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), instructing the implementation of these sanctions in accordance with the established 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.

Furthermore, ECOWAS leaders are scheduled to convene on Thursday, where they will discuss the ongoing situation in Niger and the potential implications of the imposed financial sanctions. The ultimatum presented to the Niger military junta is set to expire, adding an additional layer of significance to the upcoming discussions among the regional leaders.

Nigeria had also cut off the power supply to the landlocked West African country.

As ECOWAS takes steps to influence the trajectory of events in Niger, the situation continues to unfold, and regional leaders are expected to deliberate on appropriate measures to ensure stability and adherence to democratic principles in the country.

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