Just Politics

AU backs ECOWAS on Niger coup, says Bazoum held in poor conditions

The African Union (AU) has pledged support to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over its response to the coup in Niger Republic.

The union’s chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, made the vow in a statement on Friday, August 11, 2023.

After a key summit in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Thursday, ECOWAS instructed its military chiefs to put together an intervention force for a possible deployment in Niger but stressed that the key priority was to move forward by peaceful means.

Mahamat also reiterated his call for the immediate release of ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and all members of his family and government.

“Such treatment of a democratically elected president is unacceptable,” he said.

READ ALSO: ECOWAS orders standby force against Niger coup leaders

The AU chairman added that Bazoum was being held in “worryingly poor conditions”.

On July 26, officers of the presidential guard in Niger ousted Bazoum.

The commander of the elite unit, Abdourahamane Tchiani, subsequently appointed himself the new ruler and dissolved the constitution.

Bazoum and his family have been held in his residence for over two weeks.

In the so-called “coup belt” of the Sahel region, Niger had been the exception to the rule, with its democratic government representing one of the last strategic partners of the West in the fight against Islamic terrorists in the region.

The international community has condemned the coup and pushed the coup leaders to restore order and hand power back.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Tinubu writes NASS, seeks Oluyede’s confirmation as Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate seeking the confirmation of Lieutenant…

3 hours ago

Court sends man to prison for impregnating 15-year-old daughter

A Magistrate Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has remanded a 48-year-old…

3 hours ago

Uba Sani: Kaduna made history with free fertilizer distribution

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani says the state made history by carrying out the largest…

4 hours ago

Varsity denies awarding professorship to sacked UNIZIK VC

The Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State has denied awarding professorship to the sacked Vice-Chancellor…

7 hours ago

First winner in ‘Glo Festival of Joy’ gets new car

Technology company Globacom, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, delivered a brand new Toyota Prado car…

7 hours ago

Uba Sani donates N10m to military heroes

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has launched the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem with…

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.