The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, has condemned in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force in Niger Republic and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically elected president immediately and without any condition.
A statement signed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu-Touray says the International Community will hold the coup plotters responsible for the security and safety of the President, his family, members of the government and the general public.
President of Niger Republic Mohamed Bazoum is still being held inside the Presidential palace in the capital, Niamey.
MUST READ: Katsina governor congratulates President Tinubu on his emergence as ECOWAS Chairman.
Military vehicles have blocked entrance to the palace with movements restricted like four previous military takeovers experienced in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020.
Ministries next to the palace have also been blocked, and staff inside the palace have not been able to access their offices or the presidency.
Report says the rest of Niamey appeared calm, with normal traffic on the road and full internet access.
Previous coups in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali were partly driven by frustrations over the authorities’ inability to contain the Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region, including Niger.
In March 2021, a coup attempt in Niger was foiled when a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace just days before Mohamed Bazoum’s scheduled inauguration.
In 2021, the Guinean special forces arrested the President, Alpha Conde, and announced a nationwide curfew until further notice, as well as the replacement of governors by the military.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
