Tag: Niger Republic

Niger Coup: “Border closure unnecessary, unwarranted; affecting North only” – Sen. Aliero

Aminu Imam

Former governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero,  has decried the hardship facing Northern Nigerians amidst the on-going border closure with Niger Republic Aliero, who represents Kebbi-Central district in the Senate, stated this on Tuesday, during a television programme, describing it as ‘unnecessary’ and ‘unwarranted’. Recall that Nigeria had in August shut its borders with the French-speaking country after its soldiers overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in a palace coup. Nigeria also cuts electricity supply to the country. Residents of border communities and traders have bemoaned the implications of the border closure in…

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Ndume seeks Gowon, AbdulSalam, others intervention in Niger Republic crisis

Aminu Imam

Senate Majority Chief Whip, Senator Muhammadu Ndume, has called for the urgent intervention of the four living former military Nigerian heads of state of northern extraction in the resolution of the persisting Niger Republic crisis following the military coup there five months ago. At a media parley in Maiduguri, Borno State on Saturday, Ndume wrote-off the ECOWAS-imposed sanctions on the neighbouring francophone country as miscalculated and ineffective. “We have four former military heads of state that are alive – Buhari, the most-recent, Abdulsalami, Babangida and Gowon, who can intervene. I…

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Coup: ECOWAS parliament begs Tinubu, others to lift sanctions against Niger Republic

Aminu Imam

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has appealed to the Heads of State and Government in the region to lift the sanctions imposed on Niger Republic. The Head of States of ECOWAS, led by then newly sworn-in Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, had last July imposed sanctions on Niger Republic. The sanctions followed the overthrow of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in a military coup led by erstwhile Presidential Guard Commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani. The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, spoke of the need to…

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Niger Republic: EU agrees on sanctions framework

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

European Union countries on Monday adopted a framework to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger. The EU Council said the new framework would allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger. It added that the framework would also undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations to human rights or international humanitarian law. According to the EU, it aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the West African regional body…

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Niger signs military contract with Russia’s Wagner mercenaries in anticipation of ECOWAS invasion

Aminu Imam

The Nigerien Government has reportedly signed a military contract with Russia’s Wagner mercenaries, according to a news report. American journalist, Jackson Hinkle citing France 24 says Niger, who overthrew the elected president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, has reached out to Wagner, a well-known mercenary group known for its fighting in Syria, Ukraine, Africa, and most recently the botched Russian coup. He tweeted on Friday afternoon, August 4; “The new government of Niger has reportedly signed a contract with the Wagner Group – France 24”.

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Tension heightens over coup, as Niger Republic cut ties with Nigeria, USA, France

Aminu Imam

…President Tinubu writes Senate, seeks support The spectre of a possible conflict between countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigeria, and Niger Republic over the coup in the country, which overthrew the government of President Mohammed Bazoum on July 26, is looming. This development is coming on the heels of the collapse of diplomatic moves to resolve the impasse. Niger Republic’s junta has cut-off ties with Nigeria, its former colonial ruler France, Togo, and the United States of America. Spokesperson for Niger’s coup leader,…

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ECOWAS imposes no-flight zone on Niger Republic

Aminu Imam

…Gives junta one week to cede power West African leaders yesterday gave the military junta in Niger Republic one week to cede power, warning they did not rule out the “use of force”, and imposed immediate financial sanctions. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the “immediate release and reinstatement” of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by the military since Wednesday. After its emergency summit in Abuja, the bloc said in a joint statement: “In the event the authorities’ demands are not met…

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War Alert: “Don’t send troops to our country”, Niger coup leaders warn ECOWAS

Aminu Imam

Niger’s military leaders have warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) not to send troops to the Republic of Niger. General Abdourahmane Tchiani, also known as Omar Tchiani, and the chief of Niger’s Presidential Guard, proclaimed himself leader while the country’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has been held by the military since the coup took place last week. The military leaders in Niger warned against any military intervention in a statement read on Niger national television. During the meeting, the regional body issued a seven-day ultimatum to the…

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AU orders Niger coup leaders back to barracks in 15 days  

Aminu Imam

The African Union (AU) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government. The AU warned of severe consequences if the military chiefs did not heed the call. The African Union threat came after the US and the European Union (EU) issued similar rebuff of the coup leaders who sacked the civilian government of President Mohammed Bazoum, who was elected in 2021 in the first civilian handover of power. The coup leaders met with senior civil servants to discuss how they would…

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Military Coup: “Detained Bazoum still Niger president”, U.S. insists

Aminu Imam

The United States government says Mohamed Bazoum is still the President of the Niger Republic, and that it is in touch with the West African country’s former President Mahamadou Issoufou, amidst a military take-over. The Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Vedant Patel, during a press briefing on Thursday, said, There are some important pieces in here. First, President Bazoum is still president. He has not resigned”.  Patel noted that the situation in Niger was “fluid. We, of course, will continue to pay close attention and remain…

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