Overview

• Niger's military junta refuses to release deposed President Mohamed Bazoum despite offers from West African alliance Ecowas to lift sanctions in exchange for his freedom.
• Ecowas has officially recognized the junta in power in Niger, but maintains sanctions and demands a 'short' transition to civilian rule, shorter than the three years proposed by the junta.
• Despite the sanctions, the junta has consolidated its power, forged alliances with Burkina Faso and Mali, and sought military partnership with Russia after severing ties with European countries.
• The sanctions imposed by Ecowas have been criticized for emboldening the juntas and centralizing their control, rather than deterring them.
• Ecowas has set up a committee of leaders from Togo, Sierra Leone and Benin to negotiate with Niger's junta on a transition to democratic rule and consider easing sanctions.