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Nigerien authorities on Monday turned down a meeting request by a joint delegation from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to a memo seen by PREMIUM TIMES and signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Niger, the trio had jointly written to notify Niger authorities of the mission slated for today (Tuesday).

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The Nigerien government said that based on ECOWAS sanction ordering member states to shut their border with Niger, “organisation of such a mission by special flight requires special consideration by the Niger authorities, including a special exemption which is not invoked in this note from the Resident Representation.”

According to the memo, the delegation was meant to arrive in Niamey on 8 August by a special flight chartered by the United Nations.

“While reiterating their readiness to engage in discussions with delegations or emissaries concerning the situation in Niger, as indicated to the mission led by the former President of Nigeria, GI (er) Abdulsalami Abubakar, the current context of anger and revolt of the populations following the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, does not allow to welcome the said delegation in the required serenity and security,” it said.

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As a result of the above, the Niger authorities said, the postponement of the mission is necessary, as is the revision of certain aspects of the programme, including meetings with certain personalities which, it said, cannot take place for obvious security reasons, in this atmosphere of threatened aggression against Niger.

It requested the Resident Representation of ECOWAS in Niamey to kindly communicate its position to ECOWAS while assuring the sub-regional bloc of its highest consideration.

A three-person ECOWAS delegation led by former Nigerian military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, was not allowed to see the coup leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, or detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

Similarly, US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on Monday visited Niamey but was also not allowed to meet Mr Tchiani.

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Military option still on as Nigeria imposes more sanctions on putschists, supporters

The Nigerian government has imposed more financial sanctions on the coup plotters in neighbouring Niger and their backers, an official has said.

Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson of President Bola Tinubu, said Tuesday evening that the sanctions were in the aftermath of the deadline given to the coup plotters by ECOWAS.

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“I can also report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the preexisting consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta in 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,” Mr Ngelale told journalists in Abuja.

He also said ECOWAS had not taken off the option of military action in Niger and would discuss its options at Thursday’s meeting in Abuja.

Mr Tinubu, the current chairperson of the ECOWAS heads of governments, has led the regional body to condemn the coup in Niger and demand a return to democracy and the release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

An ECOWAS ultimatum for the return to democracy ended Sunday with the coup plotters remaining defiant.

Premium Times