The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu says the Authority of Heads of State and Government of member nations of the regional body will not accept any form of undemocratic government in West Africa.
In a message he personally signed and issued on Wednesday, the ECOWAS Chairman said there were unpleasant reports of an attempt to destabilize the elected government of Niger Republic adding that this would be accepted.
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 emphasized that the leadership of ECOWAS is monitoring developments in the Niger Republic and will ensure that democracy continues to succeed in that country and the entire region 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 thrive 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 region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order,” the ECOWAS Chairman concluded.
Breaking: Tinubu speaks on coup attempt in Niger Republic
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… pic.twitter.com/dLCWU7L8qB
— Bayo onanuga (@aonanuga1956) July 26, 2023
Niger President Detained By Guards
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is being detained inside his palace in the capital Niamey by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an ultimatum by the army, a source close to Bazoum said on Wednesday.
In a message on Twitter, the president’s office said “Elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper… (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard.”
“The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition
“The President and his family are well,” the Presidency said.
Reactions
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat via his official Twitter handle on Wednesday condemned the recent developments in Niger Republic
1/3: Informed of an attempt by certain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic & republican institutions in #Niger, tantamount to an attempted coup d’état, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemns such actions
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) July 26, 2023
Background
The landlocked West African state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960
The country’s last coup occurred in February 2010, overthrowing then-president Mamadou Tandja.
However, there was an attempted putsch on March 31, 2021, just two days before Bazoum’s inauguration, according to a security source at the time.
Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader, an air force captain named Sani Gourouza.
He was arrested in neighbouring Benin and handed over to the Niger authorities.
Ousmane Cisse, a former interior minister under a military government of transition that ran from 2010-2011, was later detained for his suspected role in the attempted coup.
In January 2018, nine soldiers and a civilian were sentenced by a military court to jail terms ranging from five to 15 years for having attempted to topple Bazoum’s predecessor, Mahamadou Issoufou, in 2015.
Those convicted included General Souleymane Salou, a former army chief of staff and a member of the junta that had forced out Tandja in 2010.
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021.
Additional Research/Reuters/PIAK
