Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock at the Niger Republic coup that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
According to reports, Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and former head of Bazoum’s presidential guard, has been named Niger’s new president.
Bazoum’s presidential guard held him hostage in the palace on Wednesday due to “bad governance and worsening security.”
Some supporters of Bazoum took to the streets of Niamey, Niger’s capital, in protest, clashing with supporters of the coup.
Following the coup, the Nigerien president’s office stated on Twitter that it was confident that democracy would prevail.
“The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it,” the tweet said.
In a statement released on Friday by Garba Shehu, Buhari’s spokesperson, the former president expressed concern for Bazoum and his family’s safety.
“As to be expected, I, just like millions of other Nigerians, am shocked by the latest turn of events in Niger Republic, our neighbour to the north,” the statement reads.
“Concerns have been raised about the fate of democracy as a system of government in the country and in the wider sub-region, and equally so, about the safety of President Mohammed Bazoum and his family.”
“I and my family are as much concerned about these as is everyone else.”
Bazoum had survived an attempted coup days before his inauguration as president in 2021.
Buhari described the action as “utterly naïve” and warned “coup plotters to learn a lesson from history on the consequences of instability caused by violent takeover of governments”.
Buhari praised Tinubu
Following the first signs of a coup in Niger on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu, who is also the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the actions.
Tinubu stated that ECOWAS would not tolerate anti-democratic acts in its region and that the union would do everything possible to restore peace to the West African country.
Benin’s President Patrice Talon was dispatched to Niger shortly after his statement to assess the situation.
Buhari, a former ECOWAS chairperson, praised Tinubu’s quick intervention and expressed hope that the situation would be resolved completely.
“It is heartening to note that the ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is already dealing effectively with the matter and our hope and prayers are that the unwanted situation will be completely reversed and the safety and wellbeing of President Bazoum and his family are ensured,” the former president said.