Niger: Maintain zero tolerance for unconstitutional change, US tells ECOWAS

The United States has expressed its dissatisfaction at the new development ongoing in Niger Republic and called on the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to take action.

Recall that the democratically elected president of the country, Mohamed Bazoum, was recently ousted in a coup led by Abdourahmane Tchiani, who has headed the presidential guard since 2015.

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In an extraordinary summit held by ECOWAS on the development, the US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, stated that the strong leadership the body has displayed so far is commendable and urged them to ensure that democracy is restored again in the West African country.

“The United States welcomes and commends the strong leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government to defend constitutional order in Niger, actions that respect the will of the Nigerien people and align with enshrined ECOWAS and African Union principles of “zero tolerance for unconstitutional change.”

“We join ECOWAS and regional leaders in calling for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family and the restoration of all state functions to the legitimate, democratically-elected government.

“The United States further welcomes the dispatch of the special representative of the ECOWAS Chair to Niger and urges all parties to work with ECOWAS for a peaceful and expeditious resolution of the current situation.

“The United States will remain actively engaged with ECOWAS and West African leaders on next steps to preserve Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” Blinken stated.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.