Tinubu Seeks Senate’s Green Light for Military Action Against Niger Republic Amidst Coup Crisis

President Bola Tinubu has addressed the Nigerian Senate, disclosing plans for proposed military action and other sanctions against the military officers who recently seized power in the Niger Republic.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by President Tinubu, has been engaged in discussions regarding possible measures to counter the coup plotters since the soldiers seized power on July 26.

Despite efforts to engage with the junta, their stance remains unyielding, leading President Tinubu to seek support from the Nigerian Senate.

His letter, read on the floor of the Upper Chamber by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, outlines the proposed actions by ECOWAS to restore peace and democracy in Niger.

The ECOWAS communique includes the following measures:

1. Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating border drilling exercises.
2. Cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic.
3. Mobilizing international support for the implementation of the ECOWAS communique provisions.
4. Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic.
5. Blockading goods in transit to Niger, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports.
6. Embarking on sensitization campaigns for Nigerians and Nigeriens, particularly through social media, to highlight the importance of these actions.
7. Preparing for a military build-up and deploying personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance with the military junta in Niger should they persist in their defiance.

The situation in Niger Republic has drawn widespread condemnation from ECOWAS, and President Tinubu, as the leader of the regional bloc, is determined to pursue every avenue to restore the democratically elected government in the country.

The proposed actions, which include a mix of economic, diplomatic, and military measures, underscore the seriousness of ECOWAS’s response to the coup and its commitment to upholding democratic principles in the region.

As the situation in Niger Republic unfolds, regional and international stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments, with expectations of a peaceful resolution to the political crisis.

ECOWAS’s united front against the coup plotters aims to send a strong message that the sub-region stands firmly against any attempt to undermine democratic governance and stability.

The impact of these proposed actions on the junta’s stance and the prospects for the restoration of democracy in Niger will be subjects of keen interest in the days to come.

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