On July 30, 2023, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an extraordinary summit to address the political situation in Niger—specifically the July 26 military coup which resulted in the detention of President Muhammed Bazoum, his family, and members of his government. The resulting communique reaffirmed President Bazoum as the legitimate elected President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, “condemn[ed] in the strongest terms the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger and the illegal detention” of its president, and called for his immediate release and the restoration of constitutional order there. The communique states that the Authority considers the president’s detention to be a hostage situation and that it will “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order,” including the use of force. It also provides for immediate measures, including the closure of air and land borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS states and Niger, and the freezing of Niger’s assets in ECOWAS Central Banks and commercial banks.