30th July, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed a no flight zone on Niger following the coup that toppled the elected government of Mohamed Bazoum.
The decision was reached at an extraordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government at the Nigerian State House, Abuja on Sunday.
ECOWAS chairman, President Bola Tinubu had conveyed the emergency meeting after the coup in Niger Republic.
The body warned Niger junta that it would be held responsible for the safety of President Bazoum and his family, declarng that the holding President Bazoum hostage was illegal.
The West African States also imposed travel bans on military officers involved in attempted coup in Niger republic.
ECOWAS also rejected the potential forced resignation of President Mohammed Bazoum, saying that the body recognised him as the duly elected president of the country.
The body added that it did not recognise foreign or Private military outfits supporting the Niger military Junta.