Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

ECOWAS imposes sanctions, gives Niger junta one week to cede power

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Jul 2023 17:39
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Meanwhile, France threatens retaliation if its citizens or interests were attacked after protesters tried to enter its embassy in Niamey.

  • x
  • Protesters gather in front of the French embassy in Niamey during a demonstration that followed a rally in support of Niger’s junta (AFP)
    Protesters gather in front of the French embassy in Niamey during a demonstration that followed a rally in support of Niger’s junta (AFP)

The military junta in Niger was given a one-week ultimatum to cede power by West African states who warned that they still did not rule out the "use of force" and imposed immediate financial sanctions.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on Sunday for the "immediate release and reinstatement" of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, held by the military since last Wednesday. 

In a statement after its summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday, ECOWAS said, "In the event the authorities' demands are not met within one week (ECOWAS will) 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 defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately."

Niger's assets in ECOWAS central and commercial banks were frozen and a "travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt" was also imposed.

"The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials," said the statement.

On its part, Niger's junta warned that ECOWAS could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital Niamey as General Abdourahamane Tiani, the chief of the powerful presidential guard, declared himself leader.

Meanwhile, a Chad government spokesman told AFP that the president of Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was on Sunday in Niger to help resolve the crisis in the country.

Itno was in the capital Niamey "to see what he could bring to solving the crisis," Aziz Mahamat Saleh said, adding that the trip was on the initiative of Chad, which neighbors Niger.

President Mohamed Bazoum was detained at his residence and talks to release him failed, a presidential source said. The soldiers have declared the suspension of all institutions, closed borders, and imposed a curfew. They cited reasons such as the deteriorating security situation and poor economic and social governance as justification for ending President Bazoum's rule.

Read next: Change of regime in Niger could be a blow to the West: Politico

Related News

Ghanaian defense, environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

Former colonizer France and the European Union suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger after the coup started, while the US threatened to cut aid as well. 

In a statement on national television on Saturday, Niger junta member Amadou Abdramane claimed that the summit's aim was to "approve a plan of aggression against Niger, in the form of an imminent military intervention in Niamey," which would be "in cooperation with African countries who are not members of the regional body and certain Western nations". 

'Down with France'

This comes as thousands of pro-junta protesters protested outside the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday, and an AFP journalist reported that some were trying to enter the building.

Some demonstrators replaced the plaque saying "Embassy of France in Niger", with Niger and Russian flags, while others yelled "Long live Russia," "Long live Putin," and "Down with France."

Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria and ECOWAS chairman, said two days ago that ECOWAS and the international community "would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the region."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Tinubu ahead of the summit to relay his "deep concern" over the Niger situation and "underscored his support for President Tinubu's continued efforts to restore constitutional order."

Read more: Niger events reflect worrying trend across Sahel: UN chief

Tiani said the putsch in Niger was a reply to "the degradation of the security situation" connected to bloodshed, corruption, and economic woes.

Retaliation possible

In response, France threatened retaliation on Sunday if its citizens were attacked after protesters tried to enter its embassy in Niamey.

"Should anyone attack French nationals, the army, diplomats and French interests, they will see France respond in an immediate and intractable manner," the French President's office said, continuing that French President Emmanuel Macron "will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests."

"France also supports all regional initiatives" intended at "restoring constitutional order" and returning Niger President Mohamed Bazoum. 

  • ECOWAS
  • France
  • Niger

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS