President Bola Tinubu, the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has emphasised the regional bloc’s dedication to safeguarding democracy and upholding human rights within Niger Republic.
The recent summit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja witnessed the participation of several leaders, including President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea Bissau, President Everiste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, and President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.
In addressing the situation, the Nigerian President highlighted the importance of ECOWAS engaging with the coup leaders in Niger’s neighbouring country to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
Speaking during the ECOWAS second extraordinary session on the Niger Republic’s situation, held in Abuja on Thursday, Tinubu stated, “Furthermore, to reassert our unwavering commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of Niger’s people, we must prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogues as the fundamental elements of our approach.”
He continued, “We need to earnestly engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in sincere discussions to persuade them to relinquish authority and reinstate President Bazoum. It’s our responsibility to explore every avenue for engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.”
Tinubu stressed that the coup in Niger has implications beyond the nation’s borders, affecting democratically elected governments across the sub-region. He noted, “As leaders of our respective countries, we must realize that the political crisis in Niger not only jeopardises the nation’s stability but also has extensive ramifications for the entire West African region.”
Upholding the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, Tinubu asserted, can lead to the restoration of peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger, ultimately fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.
Following Tinubu’s remarks, the summit proceeded into a closed-door session.
