The Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are meeting in Abuja today to discuss the political situation in the Niger Republic.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the leaders are expected to decide on the next steps to take after the military junta in Niger overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
In a previous meeting on July 30, ECOWAS leaders called for the immediate release and reinstatement of Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and Government of the Republic of Niger.
They also rejected any form of purported resignation by Bazoum and declared him as the only recognised and elected President by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.
The current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, is hosting the meeting at the State House in Abuja.
It is expected that the leaders will discuss the possibility of military intervention in Niger to restore democratic rule. They will also consider other options, such as economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
Among the leaders at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja,the venue of the meeting are the ECOWAS Chairman and President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, President. Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea Bissau and President Everiste Ndayishimiye of Burundi
Others are President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania , President Nana Akofo-Ado of Ghana, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic and Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo.
The Gambia and Liberia are being represented by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Those absent are the heads of state in the troubled Niger Republic, Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso
