ECOWAS leaders begin closed-door session 

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States under the leadership of the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu have commenced a closed-door session to discuss the situation in Niger Republic.

The session commenced immediately after the opening remarks by Tinubu.

Tinubu while giving his speech said the regional bloc was committed to protecting democracy and human rights in the Niger Republic.

According to the Nigerian President, the regional bloc must engage the coup leaders in the neighbouring country to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Leaders from the West African bloc ECOWAS would meet on Thursday for an emergency summit on the coup in Niger after the country’s military chiefs defied an ultimatum to restore the elected president.

Two weeks after the coup that toppled Mohamed Bazoum, the Economic Community community said it was seeking a diplomatic solution but has not ruled out using force to resolve the crisis.

Important decisions are expected from the gathering in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, according to a statement from the 15-nation organisation on Tuesday.

Struggling to stem a cascade of coups among its members since 2020, the bloc gave the troops who seized power on July 26 until last Sunday to reinstate Bazoum or face the potential use of force.

But the coup leaders remained defiant and the deadline passed without action.

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