Niger suspended from ECOWAS bodies

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on Thursday it had recognized that Mohamed Bazoum was the victim of a coup in Niger and that it was suspending the country from its bodies.

According to the ECOWAS communiqué, until its 64th Ordinary Session held on 10 December 2023, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger to be an attempted coup d'état, and still considered Mohamed Bazoum to be the President of the Republic of Niger and Head of State.

The same source states that as a result of this position, Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS decision-making bodies and members of Mr. Bazoum's government were entitled to represent Niger at statutory ECOWAS meetings.

"The ECOWAS Summit of 10 December recognized that the government of Mr. Mohamed Bazoum had been effectively overthrown by a military coup," said ECOWAS, stressing that as a result, "as of 10 December 2023, Niger is suspended from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until constitutional order is restored in the country".

-0- PANA TNDD/IS/BBA/RA 14Dec2023