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: The death toll in the al-Bureij camp massacre has risen to 19
Nicolas Maduro: Maria Corina Machado and imperialism wanted to spread violence and chaos so there would be no elections.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: We were able to neutralize 60 attacks on oil refineries and oil facilities and arrest more than 70 individuals involved.
CNN citing sources: Talks between Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a comprehensive agreement that could be concluded during the next meeting.
US Secretary of State: Washington will begin revoking visas for Chinese students affiliated with the Communist Party or studying in sensitive fields.
Israeli media: Western diplomats: There is a possibility that the US administration will sign an interim agreement or understanding with Iran.
Hamas: We affirm that we are making great efforts to stop the barbaric war on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We reached an agreement with Witkoff that includes the flow of aid and a professional committee taking over the management of the Gaza Strip's affairs immediately after the deal is announced.
Hamas: The agreement with Witkoff includes the release of 10 Israeli prisoners and bodies in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas: We agreed with Witkoff on a general framework that would achieve a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza.

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

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

ECOWAS leaders meet as military rulers vow to quit bloc

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

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, answers a question about his House Bill 3-C: Independent Special Districts in the House of Representatives April 20, 2022, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida (AP/Phil Sears)

GOP lawmaker says Gaza needs same end as WWII Japan, with nukes

  • MENA
  • 23 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks to Al Mayadeen

Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks: Al Mayadeen

  • MENA
  • 24 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Israeli forces operate in a buffer zone in southern Lebanon as seen from northern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli troops breach Lebanese territory, enter country's south

Chief of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hossein Salami speaks in a ceremony commemorating late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials, in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IRGC commander warns Iran would 'open gates of hell' on 'Israel'

(Iran Foreign Ministry)
Politics

Iran denies reported enrichment freeze, reaffirms nuclear policy

President Donald Trump, right, listens as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump warns Netanyahu on Iran talks, pushes Gaza ceasefire plan

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