Niger coup: Senate evasive on implementation of ECOWAS resolutions

<p>The Senate at the weekend faltered in taking a firm position on the implementation of resolutions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the military coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani which ousted a democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum in Niger Republic.</p>, <p>The ECOWAS in its resolution gave the new military leader in Niger a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order.</p>, <p>President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, who read the communique at the end of the Extraordinary Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, demanded the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate head of state and government of the Republic of Niger.</p>, <p>They also resolved that in the event ECOWAS’ demands were not met within one week, the leaders said they would take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.</p>, <p>“Such measures may include the use of force for this effect. The Chiefs of Defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,’’ the leaders said.</p>, <p>President Tinubu in a letter addressed to the Senate entitled, “Request for Support in the Implementation of the Resolutions of ECOWAS on the Political Situation in Niger Republic”, which was read on Friday informed the Senate of the far reaching resolutions of leaders of the West African subregion , particularly the involvement of Nigeria which included, “Military build up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”</p>, <p>Consequent on the correspondence, the Senate on Saturday held a closed door meeting to discuss what it called, “Implementation of Resolutions of ECOWAS on the Political Situation in Niger Republic.”</p>, <p>At the end of its Executive Session which lasted for over four hours, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio read the resolutions:</p>, <p>While the Senate commended “President Ahmed Bola Ti