The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has deployed Beninese President, Patrice Talon to the Niger Republic over the unfolding tension in the country.
The Chairman of ECOWAS and Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, disclosed this to journalists after he met behind closed doors with Mr Talon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“He is going there now. He is on his way now to Niger Republic,” President Tinubu said.
On Wednesday morning, a heavy military presence was reported at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger’s capital city.
President Mohamed Bazoum was said to be held hostage by soldiers and was denied access to his office and residence in signs of a possible coup d’état.
Frowning at the development, President Bola Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS chairperson, said the body will not tolerate acts that undermine democracy in the region.
President Tinubu said the situation was being closely monitored, noting that ECOWAS was doing everything “within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region”.
The Beninese president met with President Tinubu at the state house in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
President Patrice Talon of Benin has been mandated by @ecowas_cedeao to proceed on immediate mission to Niger Republic over coup attempt. pic.twitter.com/ohyieMOGdO
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) July 26, 2023
“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 said.
Talon was said to have briefed Tinubu on the security situation in the West African region, including efforts to restore democratic governance in Mail, Guinea Bissau and Burkina Faso, which had fallen to coup d’etat in the last two years.
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