On July 30, in Abuja, Nigeria, an extraordinary meeting of West African leaders was convened under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recent coup in Niger, which resulted in the removal of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and the assumption of power by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani-led junta.

After the meeting concluded, a series of sanctions were imposed on the country, which includes:

1. Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger;

2. Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and fromNiger;

3. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions betweenECOWAS Member States and Niger;

4. Freeze of all service transaction including utility services;

5. Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks;

6. Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the State Enterprises andParastatals in Commercial Banks;

7. Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions withall financial institutions, particularly, EBID and BOAD;

8. Travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coupattempt. The same applies to their family members and the civilians whoaccept to participate in any institutions or government established bythese military officials;

9. Calls on WAEMU and all other regional bodies to implement thisdecision.

Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the current Chairperson of ECOWAS having been elected barely a month ago.