The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has demanded the "immediate release and reinstatement" of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been in military custody since Wednesday.

The bloc, which consists of 15 member nations, warned that if the authorities' demands are not met within one week, ECOWAS will take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, including the potential use of force. In response to the situation, the chiefs of defence staff of ECOWAS will convene immediately.

As part of their actions, ECOWAS announced the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, and energy transactions have also been halted.

Moreover, the bloc decided to freeze Niger's assets in ECOWAS central and commercial banks and impose a "travel ban and asset freeze" on military officials involved in the coup attempt.

"ECOWAS is committed to the preservation of constitutional order in all member states," said Jean-Claude Brou, the bloc's president. "We will not tolerate any unconstitutional change of government in the region."

The coup attempt in Niger is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa in recent years. In 2021, there were coups in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

ECOWAS has been critical of these coups, and has imposed sanctions on the countries involved. The bloc has also called for the restoration of constitutional order in all of these countries.

It remains to be seen whether ECOWAS's demands will be met in Niger. However, the bloc's threats of sanctions suggest that it is serious about restoring constitutional order in the country. (ILKHA)