ECOWAS-AU-UN Planned Mission To Niger Aborted

A planned meeting by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations with the Niger junta failed to push through on Tuesday after the latter aborted it at the last minute.

In a statement communicating the abortion, the West African bloc said, “ECOWAS Commission wishes to inform that the ECOWAS-AU-UN Mission to the Republic of Niger did not take place on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

“The meeting was aborted following late-night communication from military authorities in Niger indicating their unavailability to receive the tripartite delegation.”

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the junta cancelled the meeting due to security concerns and the closure of the country’s land and air borders.

In its notice on the aborted meeting, the ECOWAS said it still holds its resolution to use all means possible to return the country to civilian rule as their peaceful approach has failed.

“The planned meeting was part of continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current crisis in Niger. As per the decision of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit held on 30 July 2023, the Community to continue to deploy all measures in order to restore constitutional order in Niger.”

The bloc has a planned emergency meeting in Abuja tomorrow following the defiance of its one-week ultimatum to the junta for a return to civilian rule.

The junta led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the former head of the Presidential Guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.