Description
Added on the 10/08/2023 23:59:17 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Nigeriens on have welcomed the lifting of some of the sanctions that were imposed on the country by West Africa's regional bloc following last year's coup. 'For us, it's like a celebration,' says a local tradesman. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended trade and imposed tough sanctions last July, after Niger's president, Mohamed Bazoum, was ousted in a military coup. SOUNDBITE
The ECOWAS force is ready to intervene in Niger 'anytime the order is given', an official says following talks on the coup that ousted Mohamed Bazoum as president. SOUNDBITE
West African military chiefs meet in Ghana to coordinate a possible armed intervention aimed at reversing the coup in Niger. IMAGES
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he still sees a chance for diplomacy to reverse a coup in Niger, as the West African bloc keeps up pressure on the military rulers in Niamey. "We remain very focused on diplomacy for achieving the results that we want, which is the return of the constitutional order, and I believe that there continues to be space for diplomacy in achieving that result," Blinken tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
"We prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach," says Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who is chairing an emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja. After the coup on July 26, the bloc gave the military leaders a deadline of last Sunday to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held at the presidential palace in Niamey, or face the potential use of force. SOUNDBITE