Security

Niger: We don’t have the order to begin military operations – DHQ

By Web News 421

The military high command on Thursday said it had yet to get directives to begin operations in the Niger Republic.

The Defence Headquarters was reacting to news reports that the military had begun assembling troops for the military action in Niger.

The Economic Community for West African States had on Sunday imposed several sanctions on the military junta in the country and also issued a seven-day ultimatum to return power to a democratically elected government.

The ECOWAS threatened to commence military operations in the country should the junta ignore the ultimatum.

It read, “The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been drawn to an online report stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is assembling its forces for military action in the Republic of Niger.

“The AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the Military Junta in Niger.

“The military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation and return the Government of the Republic of Niger to constitutional order.

“At the moment, ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in the Republic of Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.

“In conclusion, the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed with any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without a mandate from the Authority of the Heads of States and Governments.”

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Politics

President Buhari Departs for Niger Republic

By Web News 640

President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja on Monday for Niamey, Niger Republic to participate in the 57th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Presidential aide, Femi Adesina, said in a statement that the one-day summit will deliberate on the Special Report on coronavirus to be presented by President Buhari who was appointed the ECOWAS Champion on the Fight against COVID-19 during the Extraordinary Virtual Summit of ECOWAS on April 23, 2020.

President Buhari is expected to coordinate the sub-regional response against the pandemic.

The Summit will also receive a Special Report on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme to be presented by President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), and President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, who is Chair of the West African Economic Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA).

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou will present to the West African leaders, the 2020 Interim Report on activities of the sub-regional body including ECOWAS Vision 2050.

The alarming rise in incidents of terrorism, insurgency, banditry and piracy will also come under focus, while the disruption of the democratic process by the military in Mali, will receive further attention.

Similarly, in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea and Niger where Parliamentary and Presidential elections are scheduled for this year, the imperative to strengthen democracy in the sub-region by respecting constitutional provisions, rule of law and outcomes of free and fair polls, will be emphasised.   

Bello Wakili