ECOWAS, global community say no threats to democracy,

BY BINTU JIDDA KANEMPRESS

27TH JULY, 2023

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has rejected a reported coup attempt in Niger Republic, saying Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the global community will not tolerate threats to democracy.

Reports on Wednesday that the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, had been seized by his presidential guards, with the presidential palace cordoned off by military vehicles.

In reaction Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, also Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Commission, said he was already in touch with other leaders in the region over the situation.

President Tinubu promised that ECOWAS would do everything possible to ensure hard-earned democracy by the people of Niger is preserved.

The Nigerian President reaffirmed the focus of the sub-regional body to ensure the preservation and defence of constitutional order.

“Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership” President Tinubu said:

“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,” he said.

“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 thriving in our region,” President Tinubu said.

“As 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,” he emphasized.

Also, the African Union also condemned the development, describing it as “unacceptable”.

In another development, Nigerian President Tinubu has met with President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Talon, was visiting Nigeria’s seat of power, Abuja, the second time in nine days, having earlier visited on July 18, along with two colleague-presidents: Bazoum and Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau.

Following the meeting, Tinubu said an ECOWAS mission, Talon was mandated by ECOWAS to proceed immediately to Niger Republic to intercede in the attempted coup in the country, termed the most coup prone country in the region.

Bazoum had been held hostage by elements within his presidential guards.

Soldiers from the guards had blockaded the residence of the president and key ministries, according to multiple reports.

No shots were fired, despite fears a coup attempt was underway in the West African country.

Reports say that the guards started an anti-republican movement “in vain”.

The president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.

Reports say the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former leaders were in talks to stop the situation from escalating, but it is not certain whether the talks are still taking place.