The federal government and the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) have called for support from the international
community to restore democratic rule in Niger Republic.
Ibrahim Lamuwa, permanent secretary, ministry of foreign
affairs, spoke on Friday while briefing the diplomatic corps on the political
situation in Niger.
Lamuwa said there are concerns over the safety of President
Mohamed Bazoum who is reportedly still being held by the military junta.
Last Sunday, in a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS chairperson, the bloc issued sanctions against Niger including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between member states and the country.
ECOWAS said it would take all necessary measures, including
the use of force, if Bazoum is not reinstated within a week of the meeting.
Recall that Tinubu had written the national assembly for
backing on military intervention in Niger.
Lamuwa said the deployment of troops would be the last option
in restoring democratic rule in Niger if diplomatic engagements with the junta
fail, and asked the international community to continue to show solidarity with
the bloc.
“The authority
welcomes the immediate condemnation, by the international community, of the
coup in Niger and sees this as a huge testimony to the preference for democracy
and constitutional rule, vis-a-vis any other form of governance,” the former
ambassador to Senegal said.
“Consequently, Nigeria and indeed, ECOWAS, call upon the
international community to remain resolute on this stance and to continue to
show solidarity to ECOWAS in affirming the superiority of democratic and
constitutional rule over dictatorship.”
The diplomat said the recent developments in the neighbouring
country, alongside Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea – all countries that have
backed the coup in Niger – have raised
serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in West
Africa.
Lamuwa said there is concern that the success of the coup in
Niger would significantly dampen ECOWAS’s reputation, but added that Tinubu is
committed to ensuring that an amicable resolution of the situation is reached.
“The region holds
that President Bazoum remains the legitimate president and head of state of the
Republic of Niger, recognised and supported by ECOWAS, the AU and the
international community and therefore rejects any form of resignation that may
purportedly come from him, perhaps under duress,” he said.
Lamuwa added that a separate delegation led by Babagana
Kingibe, a former secretary to the government of the federation, was mandated
to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the matter.
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