The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned the coup d’état that occurred in Niger.
In a statement posted on the ECOWAS Commission’s website, the bloc expressed “shock and consternation” at the news of the military incursion.
“ECOWAS condemns, in the strongest 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,” the commission said.
ECOWAS asserted that all those involved in the coup would be held accountable for the security and safety of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family, government members, and the general public. The international community is also expected to take a similar stance in this regard.
Late on Wednesday, a group of soldiers appeared on Niger’s national television and declared that they had removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power. Prior to this announcement, the presidential guard had placed the president under house arrest at the presidential palace, indicating a typical pattern seen in military coups.
Identifying themselves as the “National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country,” the group cited the country’s deteriorating security situation as the reason for overthrowing the Bazoum government. However, they stated their commitment to ongoing engagements with the international and national communities.
As per media reports, the soldiers have suspended all institutions and placed security forces in charge of the situation. They have urged external partners not to interfere in the internal affairs of the nation.
