President Bola Tinubu has said the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, would not tolerate the unfolding “mutiny” scenario in Niger Republic.
President Tinubu gave the warning in his capacity as the ECOWAS Chairman in a statement on Wednesday.
The situation arose due to a heavy military presence at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger’s capital city, with reports suggesting that President Mohamed Bazoum was being held hostage by soldiers who denied him access to his office and residence – signs pointing to a possible coup d’état.
As the leader of the regional bloc, President Tinubu made it clear that ECOWAS would not tolerate any actions that disrupt the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding democracy and constitutional order in the region.
“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa,” Tinubu said.
“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 thrives in our region,” President Tinubu asserted.
President Tinubu also assured that he was in close consultation with other leaders in the region to address the crisis promptly. He emphasized the importance of protecting the hard-earned democracy in the region, aligning with the universally accepted 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 sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order,” he said.
Niger has been plagued by political instability for decades, experiencing four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. The attempted coup in March 2021, just days before President Bazoum was scheduled to be sworn in, had also drawn criticism from former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who expressed concern over Niger’s shaky governance structure.
ECOWAS, an organization consisting of 15 West African nations, remains committed to promoting peace, stability, and democratic governance in the region. President Tinubu’s statement serves as a reminder of the collective determination of ECOWAS leaders to safeguard the democratic principles that form the foundation of the region’s progress and development.
As the situation in Niger unfolds, regional leaders are closely monitoring developments to take appropriate actions in the interest of peace, security, and the well-being of the people in West Africa.
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