UN chief reiterates backing for ECOWAS’ continued mediation efforts in Niger

Following the July 26 coup in Niger, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasised his support for the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) continued mediation efforts.

When asked about the ECOWAS deadline at a news conference on Monday in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq made this statement.

The bloc’s ultimatum to the military junta in charge of Niger since the coup d’état expired on Sunday.

According to news reports, an additional ECOWAS crisis meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria.

This comes after a special session last week where the 15-member group demanded the reinstatement of the president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.

If the coupists didn’t succeed in restoring constitutional order, ECOWAS had threatened to use force and any other necessary means to do so.

As a result, Niger’s military authorities have shut down its airspace.

The secretary-general is worried about President Bazoum’s ongoing detention as well as the country of Niger’s ongoing inability to reestablish constitutional order, according to Haq.

While in Abuja, Leonardo Santos Simo, the UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, continues to offer good office support to regional stakeholders.

“The secretary-general stresses the urgent need to guarantee that life-saving humanitarian work continues unimpeded, and that the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service—which offers a crucial link to distant areas in Niger—is allowed to operate to and continue serving those populations,

4.3 million Niger residents needed humanitarian aid, according to a previous study by Simo.

He also issued a warning that the crisis’ development could exacerbate insecurity in the greater West African region.

UN relief organisations have vowed to remain and provide aid in Niger.