BREAKING: ECOWAS shuts Niger borders amidst other sanctions

<p>The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military in Niger Republic to restore ousted President Muhammed Bazoum to office while the border between Niger and all member states remain closed.</p>, <p>Hosted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Sunday by President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the summit also agreed to appoint and dispatch a Special Representative to deliver the demands of the authority.</p>, <p>The resolution of the meeting also rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from the overthrown President.</p>, <p>ECOWAS has also announced wide ranging sanctions such as a ‘no fly zone over Niger and an immediate closure of its borders.</p>, <p>The decision of the extraordinary session of the Authority followed its deliberations on developments in the country where President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by members of his presidential guards for days.</p>, <p>The Commander of the country’s Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, on Friday, declared himself the Head of a Transitional Government.</p>, <p>At Sunday’s meeting, the Authority affirmed its recognition of Bazoum as the legitimate President of the country and also announced the imposition of land, air border closure and suspension of all commercial flights between Niger Republic and ECOWAS member states.</p>, <p>The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, announced the decision, saying that all Chiefs of Defense Staff of the member states will proceed for an emergency meeting to strategize on effective ways to implement a possible military operation to restore Bazoum to office.</p>, <p>The communique issued at the end of the meeting revealed that the session was resolved as follows:</p>, <p>“His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum remains the legitimate, elected president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, recognized by ECO