Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1180^th meeting held on 23 October 2023 dedicated to the situations in the Republic of Niger:

The Peace and Security Council:

Recalling Declaration [Ext/Assembly/AU/Decl.(XVI)] on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 16^th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 27 to 28 May 2022; Decision AHG/Dec.141(XXXV) and AHG/Dec.142(XXXV), adopted by the 35^th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Algiers, Algeria, from 12 to 14 July 1999; the Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 36^th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Lomé, Togo, from 10 to 12 July 2000 (the Lomé Declaration); and the Solemn Declaration of the 50^th OAU/AU Anniversary adopted in Addis Ababa on 25 May 2013;

Also recalling its decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Niger, in particular, Communique Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1168 (2023)] adopted at its 1168^th meeting held on 14th August 2023 and the Press Release of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, issued on 26 July 2023;

Upholding the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, particularly Article 7 (g), and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), while reiterating the AU zero tolerance of unconstitutional changes of government, in line with Article 4(p) of the AU Constitutive Act;

Reaffirming the determination to silence the guns in Africa by the year 2030 and creating conducive conditions for the realisation of the AU Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its people and representing a dynamic force in the global arena, as well as AU Agenda 2063;

Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Daniel Owassa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Congo to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for October 2023, and the briefing by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; further noting the statement by the representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);

Reaffirming AU’s commitment to respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of its Member States and the Union’s solidarity with the people in their legitimate aspiration for peace, security, and stability and AU’s unwavering commitment to accompany its Member States in political transition to entrench a culture of good governance, democracy, constitutionalism and adherence to the rule of law in accordance with normative instruments of the Union; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Reiterates its deep concern over the resurgence of military coups d’etats, as they undermine democracy, peace, security and stability, as well as development on the Continent; and also reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the military coups d’états ousting democratically elected presidents; and renews its call for a swift return to constitutional order in Niger;

2. Welcomes the efforts by the ECOWAS in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Niger and encourages the Transition Authorities to fully cooperate with the ECOWAS and the AU efforts towards a swift restoration of constitutional order;

3. Underscores the imperative of sustained diplomatic efforts to mediate the crisis in Niger and stresses the need for the transitional authorities to ensure conducive conditions for an inclusive national dialogue with the participation of all strata of society;

4. Expresses deep concern over the lack of a clear, practical and time-bound timetable for the implementation of the transition period in Niger, particularly with regard to the holding of a national dialogue and elections, in order to facilitate the swift return to constitutional order and hand over power to a civilian-led government; in this regard, requests the transitional authority to adopt a practical and time-bound timetable for the implementation of the transitional period;

5. Reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of H.E. President Mohamed Bazoum and all other detainees and respect for their human rights, including protection of their physical health and integrity;

6. Requests the AU Commission to expeditiously appoint a High-Level Representative for Niger and deploy a high-level mission to Niger to determine the needs of the Transitional Government for the return to constitutional order and establishment of transitional institutions to oversee the transition, as well as assist the Transitional Government to work towards organising national dialogue in pursuance for lasting peace in the country; underscores the importance of the High-Level Representative to work closely with ECOWAS and to brief the Council regularly; and

7. Reiterates  the request for the AU Commission to undertake a comprehensive and objective study and analysis of the structural root causes and drivers of unconstitutional changes of government on the Continent and to revitalise their early warning mechanisms in order to ensure timely responses and effective deployment of preventive diplomacy efforts;

8. Stresses the need for informal consultations between the Council and the Member States in political transition, in accordance with Article 25(3) of ACDEG, to enable discussions aimed at gathering first-hand information and to determine areas that require timely interventions in efforts aimed at accompanying the concerned countries towards constitutional order and civilian rule;

9. Strongly condemns the recent attacks perpetrated by terrorist groups against the military and civilians, resulting in several casualties and reiterates the AU’s firm rejection of terrorism and violent extremism, and the necessity of collective action of Member States to prevent and combat terrorism within the framework of the AU and relevant international instruments; and calls for the revitalisation of the regional initiatives to effectively degrade and eliminate  terrorist groups in the Sahel region; 

10. Expresses concern over the humanitarian situation in Niger and the developments on facilitating a humanitarian corridor in the country; in this regard, urges the Transitional Authorities to fully cooperate with ECOWAS and ensure humanitarian access aimed at alleviating the suffering of the affected populations; urges ECOWAS to minimize the disproportionate effects of sanctions on the ordinary people of Niger; and appeals to AU Member States and the international community to redouble efforts towards mobilising humanitarian assistance to Niger and the broader Sahel region; 

11. Decides to undertake a Field Mission to Niger in order to engage with various stakeholders on the respective situations and plans to return to constitutional order; and

12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS