The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet in Abuja from August 2 to 4th, 2023 on the political situation in Niger.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
ECOWAS said in a statement on Tuesday night that the “CCDS is meeting following the decision of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at their Extraordinary Session held on the 30th of July 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.”
Niger’s coup leaders announced former presidential guard commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the new head of state after toppling President Mohamed Bazoum due to what they called “poor governance” and “discontent” over his handling of security threats from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL).
At the Abuja meeting, ECOWAS demanded the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was seized by some of his guards at his official residence on 26 July.
The bloc’s 15 members said they would “take all measures necessary”, including use of force, if he is not reinstated in a week.
They have also suspended commercial and financial transactions with Niger and closed air and land borders with the country.
The coup has since threatened the unity of ECOWAS.
The Abuja meeting was attended by leaders from Benin, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Cabo Verde and Liberia.
The meeting said it considered the “illegal detention of Bazoum as a hostage situation” and vowed to “hold the authors of the attempted coup solely and fully responsible” for the safety and security of the ousted president.
The regional bloc faces military resistance if it decides to take military action in Niger to return Bazoum to power.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea on Tuesday declared support for the Niger coup.
“Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” said the two countries in a joint statement, adding that such a move could result in “disastrous consequences” that “could destabilise the entire region”.
The statement further added: “The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali express their fraternal solidarity… to the people of Niger, who have decided with full responsibility to take their destiny in hand and assume the fullness of their sovereignty before history.”
They further slammed the sanctions imposed on Niger as “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane against the people and authorities of Niger hence will not apply them.”
Guinea’s National Committee of the Rally for Development (CNRD) said in a statement that it “firmly expresses its support for the people of this friendly country (Niger), emphasising the importance of the values of Pan-Africanism dear to the Head of State, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya.”
The African Union and western countries have since condemned the seizure of power by force and the undermining of democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger.
“The unconstitutional change of government in Niger has come to further complicate an already worsening security landscape in the Liptako Gourma area, and the region in general,” said the United Nations on Tuesday.
Niger’s situation is the ninth coup or attempted power grab in just over three years in West and Central Africa after Burkina Faso’s in 2022 .
Burkina Faso’s army ousted President Roch Kabore in January 2022, blaming him for failing to contain violence by Islamist militants.
Coup leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba pledged to restore security, but attacks worsened, eroding morale in the armed forces leading to a second coup eight months later when current junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, seized power in September following a mutiny.
A group of Malian colonels led by Assimi Goita ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020.
Chad’s army took power in April 2021 after President Idriss Deby was killed on the battlefield while visiting troops fighting rebels in the north.
Reuters reported that under Chadian law, the speaker of parliament should have become president. But a military council stepped in and dissolved parliament in the name of ensuring stability.
Deby’s son, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, was named interim president and tasked with overseeing an 18-month transition to elections.
The unconstitutional transfer of power led to riots in the capital N’Djamena that were but down by the military.
In Guinea, Special forces commander Colonel Mamady Doumbouya ousted President Alpha Conde in September 2021.
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
_______________________________________________________________________
“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
