Niger Coup: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has, while confirming the coup attempt in Niger Republic, condemned it.
Bellnews reports that in a statement, Tinubu said that ECOWAS will not tolerate any situation that hinders the democratically-elected government of Niger.
“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa,” Tinubu said.
He said that ECOWAS is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and will do everything within its power to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, and thrives in the region.
Tinubu said that he is in close consultation with other leaders in the region and that they are committed to protecting their hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.
“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order,” Tinubu said.
Emerging reports say Niger guards have held President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in Niamey, the country’s capital. Also, presidency sources say ministries next to the palace have also been blocked off, and staff inside the palace have not been able to access their offices.
The coup attempt in Niger comes at a time when the region is facing a growing threat from military coups. In recent years, there have been four military coups in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.
The full statement by Tinubu reads:
UNPLEASANT DEVELOPMENTS IN NIGER REPUBLIC
Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership.
It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.
The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.
I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.
I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.
As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.