In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, President Bola Tinubu, who serves as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has taken decisive action.
Worried by the political impasse in Mali and the seizure of power in Niger by armed presidential guards, President Tinubu swiftly organized a special meeting of ECOWAS leaders in Abuja on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
The coup in Niger Republic, which resulted in the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, has drawn condemnation from various international bodies, including the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, ECOWAS, and the United States.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, President Tinubu dispatched the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, to engage with leaders in the coup-prone West African country.
As the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing his concern over the political crisis in Niger and promising that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything possible to defend democracy and promote stable governance in the sub-region.
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“Following the coup in Republic of Niger that has upended the constitutional political leadership in the West Africa country, the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu will host a special meeting of the regional leaders on Sunday, July 30th in Abuja,” the statement read.
“President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, condemned the current political situation in the neighbouring country and promised that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the sub-region.”
The efforts of President Tinubu have garnered significant support from the international community. US Vice-President Kamala Harris and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres both reached out to President Tinubu for spearheading peace initiatives and offered their backing for Nigeria’s efforts in restoring constitutional order in Niger.
With the situation escalating, President Tinubu’s decision to host a special ECOWAS meeting in Abuja reflects the urgency to address the political turmoil in the region. The gathering aims to bring regional leaders together to find a collective solution and strengthen democratic governance in West Africa.