Niger: ECOWAS Continues its Ambiguous Role in the Sociopolitical Crisis
While a delegation from ECOWAS was expected in Niamey for negotiations between the country and the regional body, aiming to lift the sanctions imposed on Niger, the ECOWAS delegation was notably absent.
The delegation, consisting of the foreign ministers of Benin, Togo, and Sierra Leone, representing ECOWAS in this mediation effort, did not travel to Niamey, claiming they did not receive authorization to fly and land in Niger.
Only the Togolese Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, was present alongside the Nigerien authorities, showcasing Togo’s commitment to peace in the sub-region.
What is ECOWAS playing at ? This institution does not seem inclined to bring this mediation to a conclusion, despite claiming to be deeply concerned about the political situation in Niger and pledging to use all available means to safeguard Niger’s democracy and improve the country’s socio-political situation.
The absence of the delegation appears to be a result of the bad faith of Bola Tinubu, the current ECOWAS chairman, and his colleagues, who seem determined not to allow « the country, which has chosen to assert its sovereignty, to escape from the punishment that is being imposed on it ».
This was predictable when the organization mandated Benin and Sierra Leone to accompany Togo, which has been involved in the issue since the change of regime in Niger. This once again reveals the duplicitous nature of ECOWAS.
