The Authority of Heads of State and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dispatched the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon to Niamey, Niger Republic, to wade into the political crisis in that country.
Chairman of ECOWAS and Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, said this to State House Correspondents, after he met behind closed doors with President Talon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said: “He is going there now; he is on his way now to Niger Republic.”
To salvage
The meeting between the two leaders was an unscheduled one that was necessitated by the situation in Nigeria Republic.
Also speaking, the visiting President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, said the situation in neighbouring Niger Republic was a serious one and action must be taken immediately to salvage it.
Talon expressed optimism that the quick intervention of ECOWAS would yield the desired result.
“The situation is serious enough that ECOWAS with President Tinubu as the Chairman, and the President of Nigeria, as a neighbouring country of Niger Republic, with Benin Republic of which I am the President, for us not to take it jokingly and act quickly.
“I believe that all means will be used if necessary to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ideal would be for everything to happen in peace and harmony. So, as the President has committed, the mediation actions will be reinforced this very evening so that this situation can be settled in peace, between brothers because even when what is not acceptable is done, it is necessary that in peace, we can correct this. This is our first option and we think it will be a success,” President Talon stated.
The President of Niger, Mohammed Bazoum was on Wednesday detained by presidential guards at the presidential palace and also blocked the road leading to the palace.
Both the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have since condemned the action, saying it is unacceptable.
Allow democracy
President Tinubu in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman specifically issued a statement calling on the military to allow democracy to thrive.
He said: “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.”
President Tinubu emphasised that the leadership of ECOWAS is monitoring developments in Niger Republic and will ensure that democracy continues to succeed there and the entire region of West Africa.
Lateefah Ibrahim
