President Bola Tinubu has rejected a reported coup attempt in neighbouring Niger Republic, saying leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the global community will not tolerate threats to democracy.
Reports filtered out of Niamey yesterday that the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, had been seized by his presidential guards, with the presidential palace cordoned off by military vehicles.
Reacting to the development, Tinubu, who is also Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Commission, in a statement he personally authored, said he was already in touch with other leaders in the region over the situation.
Promising that ECOWAS would do everything possible to ensure hard-earned democracy by the people of Niger is preserved, he re-echoed the focus of the sub-regional body to ensure constitutional order is preserved and defended.
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.
“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 thriving in our region.”
He added: “As 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.”
Also, Tinubu met with President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Talon, who arrived the Villa at around 4:43 p.m., was visiting Nigeria’s seat of power, Abuja, the second time in nine days, having earlier visited on July 18, along with two colleague-presidents: Bazoum and Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau.
Following the meeting, Tinubu said an ECOWAS mission had been sent to the Niger Republic to intercede in the attempted coup in the country.
He said Talon was mandated by ECOWAS to proceed immediately to the West African country that has been termed the most coup prone country in the region.
The meeting came as news emerged that Bazoum had been held hostage by elements within his presidential guards.
Soldiers from the guards had blockaded the residence of the president and key ministries, according to multiple reports.
No shots were fired, despite fears a coup attempt was underway in the West African country.
It was reported that the guards started an anti-republican movement “in vain”.
The African Union condemned the development, describing it as “unacceptable”.
The president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.
One unnamed source told AFP the move was a “fit of temper” by troops.
Reports had said the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former leaders were involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating, but it is not clear if those talks are still taking place.
A source cited by AFP as being close to the president said the talks had broken down and that the guards, who refused to release the president, had been issued an ultimatum by the army.
The United States condemned efforts to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger’s democratically elected government, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, yesterday, and urged the release of President Mohamed Bazoum after he was detained inside his palace.
“We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence,” Sullivan said in a statement.
The White House is monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens, he added.
Also, Matthew Miller, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, said: “The United States is gravely concerned about developments in Niger. We strongly support the democratically elected President and condemn in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and disrupt the constitutional order. We call for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and respect for the rule of law and public safety. We echo the strong condemnation of today’s action by the Economic Community of West African States. We are monitoring the situation closely and are in communication with the U.S. Embassy in Niamey.”
