UK Ready To Follow West Africa’s Lead On Niger Efforts

The UK and its allies stand ready to support any efforts made by Ecowas leaders to restore democracy in Niger where the president was recently overthrown in a coup, says British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Speaking to the BBC in Accra, Mr Cleverly said it was important for African leaders to head up the response, and that if the UK receives specific requests for assistance it will consider them.

Regional leaders and Western countries have condemned the coup in Niger and imposed sanctions on the country. But the military men in charge of Mali and Burkina Faso have disagreed with this approach.

The UK announced on Monday it was suspending aid to Niger, but Mr Cleverly has not specified any targeted sanctions for the coup leaders.

When asked about Russia’s Wagner group expansion in Africa, the British foreign minister stated that Vladimir Putin and the Wagner group are not friends of the African people due to the exploitative nature of their activities.

Meanwhile, the UK aims to be a partner of equals on the continent, Mr Cleverly added.

BBC/Jide Johnson.