Abuja cuts power supply to Niger Republic owing bills
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Bola Tinubu has directed disconnection of 150 megawatts (mw) of electricity supplied daily to Niger Republic as part of sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to compel military coupists to restore democracy in the country.
Besides, Niger Republic is one of three neighbouring countries – including Benin Republic and Togo – owing Nigeria $18.29 million (N8.4 billion) power debt as of 2022, according to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) data.
Niger Republic’s disconnection was effected on Tuesday night by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“It is true Niger was disconnected from the national grid last night based on the instruction of the government. Nigeria used to supply 150 megawatts (mw) of power to Niger,” a source in TCN told Vanguard.
“It is total disconnection in line with ECOWAS moves to restore democracy in that country.”
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ECOWAS plays down military intervention in Niger Republic
ECOWAS military chiefs on Wednesday played down military intervention in Niger Republic, pushing it to the back burner.
“(The) military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
An ECOWAS team headed by former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar is in Niger Republic to “negotiate,” Musah explained in Abuja at the start of a three-day meeting of ECOWAS military chiefs.
ECOWAS Heads of State had last Sunday given the coupists seven days to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power or face military action.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday his country supports the position taken by ECOWAS on the coup in Niger Republic which led to the overthrow of Bazoum.
Cleverly’s declaration of support came on a day ECOWAS defence chiefs gathered in Abuja to strategise on the military action.
“We touched briefly on the situation in Niger. I made the point that the UK very much welcomes ECOWAS’ and his [Tinubu’s] decisive action, his strong commitment to democracy and the unambiguous message that violence is not the means to bring political change in any circumstance.
“And that the commitment to democracy in Nigeria and the region is unwavering,” he said.
ECOWAS reiterated recognition of Bazoum as the legitimate President of Niger Republic and rehashed its earlier resolution to explore “all measures necessary” to restore democratic governance in the country, including “the use of force.”
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray insisted when he read out the communique at the end of the extraordinary summit that “such measures may include the use of force. To this effect, the Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.”
The ECOWAS Authority at the summit also imposed immediate sanctions on Niger Republic, including the closure of its land borders and air space between member-states.
ECOWAS also:
- Established a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
- Suspended all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger Republic.
- Froze the assets of Niger Republic in the ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger Republic enterprises, and parastatals in the commercial banks of ECOWAS countries.
- Suspended Niger Republic from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.
- Asked the West African Monetary Union and similar regional bodies to implement the resolutions immediately.
Cleverly stressed the response of ECOWAS “very much supports the UK’s position. We wish to see peace and democracy restored in Niger.
“We will, of course, continue to liaise with our strong friends in the region, members of ECOWAS, of course, including Nigeria, as we seek to bring about stability, peace and democracy to Niger.”
Military chiefs unite to restore democracy in Niger Republic
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, told his colleagues from 10 ECOWAS countries at the extraordinary meeting the military must face head-on the challenges of restoring democratic governance in Niger Republic, working as a united front.
“It is no longer news that the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS met at an Extraordinary Session in Abuja on July 30, 2023, in response to the latest political developments in the Republic of Niger,” he added.
“In this regard, we are tasked with a mission to restore democracy in the Republic of Niger and preserve germane humanitarian principles across the region.
“Our decisions will inevitably shape the lives of millions of people around the sub-continent. Our decisions will have far-reaching implications for ECOWAS region.
“Accordingly, this extraordinary meeting is a fall out of the final communique of that meeting. To this end, we are assembled here … not only as heads of our various armed forces, but also as members of an inter-related regional community.
“The events that transpired in one of our countries on July 26, 2023, has reverberated across our borders, affecting us all.
“The political instability in Niger is a source of grave concern for us all. It threatens our shared vision of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, a vision that is impossible to achieve amid political upheavals and disruptions to constitutional order.
“We are not oblivious to the complex challenges that lies ahead. The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications.
“We must face the challenges of restoring democratic governance in Niger head-on, drawing on our shared experiences, wisdom, and collective resolve. Our decisions will have far-reaching implications for the ECOWAS region.
“ECOWAS’ strength lies in unity, shared values, and commitment to democracy, peace, and prosperity.”
