MOSCOW, Jul 30 Economic Community of West African Nations (ECOWAS ) suspends financial assistance to Niger, freezes the assets of the rebels, their families and supporters, imposes a ban on their movement.
«Introduce a travel ban and freeze the assets of military officials who are involved in the coup attempt. The same goes for their family members and civilians who agree to take part in any institutions … created by these military officials,» the head said Community Commission Omar Alle Toure.
ECOWAS also suspends financial assistance to the country.
Earlier, the military of Niger, during a speech on national television, said that President Mohamed Bazum was removed, the borders were closed, and a curfew was announced. Before that, the military of the presidential guard blocked the presidential palace in the capital of the country, Niamey. Bazum's office claimed that the army did not support the rebels, but later the command of the Armed Forces declared solidarity with them. The President is still held in residence. Bazum is fine and feels good, said Musa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission. On Friday, the commander of the Presidential Guard, General Tchiani, appeared on state TV in Niger as the head of the «National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland» formed by the coup participants.