The federal government and the ECOWAS are appealing for international support to help restore democratic rule in Niger Republic.
Ibrahim Lamuwa, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the diplomatic corps on Friday regarding the political situation in Niger.
There are concerns about the safety of President Mohamed Bazoum, who is reportedly still being held by the military junta.
Last Sunday, ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, issued sanctions against Niger, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between member states and the country.
The bloc also warned that it would resort to all necessary measures, including the use of force if Bazoum is not reinstated within a week of the meeting.
Tinubu had sought support from the national assembly for military intervention in Niger.
Lamuwa stated that deploying troops would be the last resort to restore democratic rule in Niger if diplomatic engagements with the junta fail.
He urged the international community to continue showing solidarity with ECOWAS in their efforts.
President Tinubu’s commitment to finding peaceful resolution
“The authority welcomes the immediate condemnation, by the international community, of the coup in Niger and sees this as a huge testimony to the preference for democracy and constitutional rule, vis-a-vis any other form of governance,” the former ambassador to Senegal said.
“Consequently, Nigeria and indeed, ECOWAS, call upon the international community to remain resolute on this stance and to continue to show solidarity to ECOWAS in affirming the superiority of democratic and constitutional rule over dictatorship.”
The diplomat expressed serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in West Africa, considering the recent developments in neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea. All these countries have supported the coup in Niger.
Lamuwa emphasized that there is apprehension about the potential negative impact of the coup’s success in Niger on ECOWAS’s reputation. However, he also highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the situation.
“The region holds that President Bazoum remains the legitimate president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, recognised and supported by ECOWAS, the AU and the international community and therefore rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from him, perhaps under duress,” he said.
Lamuwa added that a separate delegation led by Babagana Kingibe, a former secretary to the government of the federation, was mandated to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the matter.