Military Coups: ECOWAS Wants Transition Plans For Niger Republic, Others

President Bola Tinubu has urged the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to re-engage with countries in the sub-region whose democratic governments were ousted in military putsches to agree on a realistic and short transition programme for them.
He reiterated this position as he opened the 64th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the presidential villa in Abuja yesterday.
The four countries involved are Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, all of which are currently under military rule following the forced removal of their elected constitutional authorities.
He said ECOWAS should be prepared to provide them with technical and material support to achieve the stated objectives.
Tinubu, who is the president of the Authority, emphasised the need to further strengthen regional democratic achievements and uphold the right of our people to elect the leaders of their choice.
He recalled that the region agreed upon specific punitive measures to be taken against any member state opting for an unconstitutional change of government.
However, he added: “While the imposition of punitive sanctions may pose challenges, it is important to underscore that the struggle to protect the fundamental liberties of our community citizens must be upheld and respected.
“To this end, I would like to reiterate the imperative of re-engaging with the countries under military rule based on realistic and short transition plans that can deliver democracy and good governance.
“On our part, we should be prepared to provide them with technical and material support to ensure the achievement of these strategic goals.”