ECOWAS Begins Emergency Summit on Niger's Insurrection

Leaders from West Africa gathered on Thursday in Nigeria's capital Abuja for an emergency summit regarding the situation in Niger. This was reported by France24.

The leaders of the military coup in Niger have already rejected demands to restore the country's elected president. The summit is taking place as the coup leaders in Niger announced the formation of a new government.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who presides over the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, stated that it is crucial to prioritize diplomacy in restoring constitutional governance in Niger following the coup on July 26.

“We are prioritizing diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the basis of our approach,” said Tinubu in his opening remarks at the ECOWAS summit of member states regarding the crisis in Niger.

Negotiations among ECOWAS leaders are occurring four days after the deadline for demands to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum has passed. ECOWAS has also indicated the possibility of military intervention if the Nigerien president is not restored to his position.

Representatives of the presidential guard have taken power in Niger. ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States, a regional political and economic union comprising fifteen countries.