The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly denounced the attempted coup in Niger Republic, warning of consequences if the plotters persist with their actions and do not release President Mohamed Bazoum, who is reportedly being held hostage.
Tensions are running high in the Republic of Niger on Wednesday, as soldiers have blockaded the presidential palace and several ministries in the capital, Niamey. Concerns about the safety and well-being of President Bazoum are growing, indicating an apparent attempted coup in the country.
According to reports, there have been no reports of shots being fired, and it remains uncertain whether the presidential guard is attempting to seize power.
The president’s office has stated that the guards unsuccessfully sought support from the military in their “anti-republican” endeavors.
President Bazoum is said to be barricaded in his residence with his family, while discussions led by former President Mohammed Issoufou and other past leaders are underway to bring the situation under control and calm the enraged soldiers.
“The President of the Republic and his family are doing well. The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack” those involved in this incident, the president’s office added.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ECOWAS Commission based in Abuja said it received the news of the attempted coup d’ etat in Niger “with shock and consternation.”
Part of the statement read: “ECOWAS condemns in the strongest of terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically –elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition.
“ECOWAS and the international community will hold all those involved in the plot responsible for the security of and safety of the President, his family, members of the government and the general public.”
The regional bloc said further that it will not tolerate any more coups in West Africa.
Niger is a landlocked West African state, which has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.
President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France.
The country’s last coup occurred in February 2010, overturning then-President Mamadou Tandja.
Niger has been beset by two Jihadists uprisings – one in the southwest, which swept in from neighboring Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists based in north-eastern Nigeria.
Militant groups linked to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State have troubled the country in recent years leading to deaths and destruction.
Countries in the West are increasingly being plagued by coups in recent times. Mali Guinea and Burkina Faso have experienced coups recently amid difficult economies and high poverty rates.,
