Abuja, Nigeria –
In a significant diplomatic move, a delegation of seven women from the Republic of Niger visited the ECOWAS Annex in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday, December 11, 2023. Led by Madame Ibrahim Mariam AL NASSER, former Minister of Labour and Civil Service, the delegation held discussions with the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Amb. Dr. Abdel Fatau MUSAH.
The women’s delegation comprised Dr. Saade Souleye, a medical doctor and public health advocate; Madame Laoula Aissata Bintou of the Committee of Women Political Mentors; Dr. Moussa Fatimata, former Minister of Public Health; Madame Barry Bibata, a lawyer at the Niamey Bar and former minister; and Madame Ahmed Mariame Musah, a civil society leader.
During the meeting, the women expressed gratitude to Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah for the opportunity to discuss the ongoing political crisis and the repercussions of ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger since the events of July 26, 2023. They raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of the sanctions, emphasizing the hardships faced by the people of Niger, particularly women and children.
In response, Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah expressed regret over the sanctions’ impact on the civilian population, attributing it to the undemocratic seizure of power by the military. Despite ECOWAS’s multiple attempts at dialogue, the military authorities remain unyielding, holding former President Mohamed BAZOUM, his family members, and several government officials hostage. The Commissioner assured the delegation of ECOWAS’s commitment to supporting Niger in a peaceful resolution, as decided during the 64th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on December 10, 2023, in Abuja.
The summit established a Committee of Heads of State, comprising H.E. Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic; H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; and representatives of the Presidents of Nigeria and Benin. This committee is tasked with engaging the Niger military regime and other stakeholders to formulate a short transition roadmap, establish transition organs, and facilitate a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the speedy restoration of constitutional order.
The women’s delegation urged ECOWAS to deepen dialogue with all segments of Nigerien society and emphasized the importance of including women in these discussions and mediation efforts to resolve the crisis. Additionally, they called on ECOWAS to expedite the review process of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, considering current realities. The delegation pleaded with ECOWAS to review the sanctions regime, citing its adverse effects on the socio-economic fabric of society and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
