All sub-regional organizations within the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEDEAO) have formally suspended the Republic of Niger until the country's constitutional order is restored.

The regional organization made this announcement in response to the decisions made during the Sunday summit of heads of state and government in Abuja.

“Until the 64th ordinary session held on December 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government considered the situation in Niger as a coup attempt and continued to consider Mohamed Bazoum, the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State,” the statement said.

“Due to this position, Niger was not suspended from ECOWAS’ decision-making bodies, and members of Bazoum’s government were authorized to represent Niger in ECOWAS’ statutory meetings.

The Dec. 10 summit recognised that Mohamed Bazoum’s government had effectively been overthrown by a military coup.

Consequently, beginning on December 10, 2023, Niger is suspended from all decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until constitutional order is restored in the country,” the statement said.

The military junta in Niger, which took over in a coup on July 26, was asked to free the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum on Sunday at the ECOWAS leaders' conference in Abuja in exchange for the easing of the sanctions placed on the country.

However, junta chieftain Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani rejected the proposal, reiterating that Bazoum would not be freed.

Following the summit, the bloc asked the junta to shorten the transition duration, which is now set at three years and proposed lifting the sanctions in exchange for the deposed president's freedom.

Tchiani granted this final request, although he did not say by how much.

Additionally, the sub-regional organization declared that sanctions against Niger will remain in effect.