The ECOWAS has advised President Bola Tinubu not to lead military action against coup plotters in the Niger Republic.
Senior advocate and human rights attorney Femi Falana stated that expulsion from ECOWAS was not a severe enough consequence against Niger, and that the West African bloc should instead apply further economic sanctions.
Lagos, Ikeja – President Bola Tinubu has been advised not to exert military influence over those responsible for the overthrow of the democratically elected government in the Niger Republic.
Human rights attorney Femi Falani met with Tinubu and other ECOWAS leaders, including the heads of state and government, on Tuesday, August 1, according to Channels Television.
“Impose more stringent sanctions on Niger and adopt measures to make them work, particularly given the intransigence of the coup plotters.”
The senior advocate’s warning came two days after the ECOWAS authorities ordered a no-flight zone in Niger’s airspace and said they were giving the country’s military junta a week to hand over control to the civilian government.
It stated that using force to overthrow the military junta was not ruled out as an option.
ECOWAS sanctions on the Niger military junta
The 15-nation West African group asked Mohamed Bazoum, the elected president of Niger, who has been taken captive by the military since last Wednesday, July 26, be “immediately released and reinstated.”
Falana stated in a statement signed by Tayo Soyemi of the Falana and Falana Chambers that banning Niger from the ECOWAS was insufficient in response to the West African bloc’s action.
Recall that in early July, President Tinubu was unanimously chosen to lead the ECOWAS.
After taking part in a celebration of Benin’s independence, President Tinubu returns to Abuja.
According to earlier reports, President Tinubu left for the country in the morning and returned that same day.
The Benin Republic will be President Tinubu’s sixth foreign destination since taking the oath of office.