Following the military coup in the Niger Republic that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu will host a special meeting of the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) today in Abuja.
The President, according to a release issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, is calling the meeting in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, following the coup in Niger Republic which has truncated the constitutional political leadership in the West Africa country.
President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, had 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.
US Vice President Kamala Harris and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in separate telephone calls Thursday evening with President Tinubu affirmed the support of the US and UN for the position taken by ECOWAS and the Nigerian leader to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Recall that on Wednesday, Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and former head of Bazoum’s presidential guard, was declared as Niger’s new head of state.
Bazoum’s presidential guard had held him hostage in the palace on account of “bad governance and worsening security”.
Some of Bazoum’s supporters took to the streets of Niamey, Niger’s capital, in protests, clashing with those who were in favour of the coup.