African Union, ECOWAS condemn ‘attempted coup d'État’ in Niger

Author: Editors Desk Source: France 24

July 26, 2023 at 13:24

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum at the presidential palace in Niamey on May 2, 2022. © Issouf Sanogo, AFP (archives)

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday condemned an “attempted coup d'État" in Niger and called for President Mohamed Bazoum to be liberated amid reports that members of the presidential guard were holding him inside his palace. The EU's foreign policy chief said Brussels was also "very concerned about current events in Niamey".

In a statement posted on social media, Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat of the African Union Commission expressed his strong condemnation in reaction to reports that members of Niger's presidential guard had detained President Mohamed Bazoum inside the palace.

"Informed of an attempt by certain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic and republican institutions in Niger, which is tantamount to an attempted coup d'état, [Faki] strongly condemns such actions by members of the military," he said, adding that they amount to a “total betrayal” of duty.

ECOWAS and its member countries are monitoring the situation in Niger and will do everything within their power to protect its democracy, Chairman Bola Tinubu said in a message posted on the X social network formerly known as Twitter.

"The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa," said Tinubu, who is also Nigeria’s president.

La Commission de la CEDEAO condamne la tentative de coup d’État au Niger/ ECOWAS Commission condemns the attempted coup d’Etat in Niger pic.twitter.com/0iYWCqLU18
— Ecowas - Cedeao (@ecowas_cedeao) July 26, 2023

Earlier in the day, the official social media account of Niger’s presidency posted: "The President of the Republic and his family are well," adding that the presidential guards (GP) had failed to secure support from the other elements of the security services in this "fit of pique".

Le Président de la République et sa famille se portent bien.
L’ Armée et la Garde Nationale sont prêtes à attaquer les éléments de la GP impliqués dans ce mouvement d’humeur s’ils ne reviennent pas à de meilleurs sentiments.
— Présidence du Niger (@PresidenceNiger) July 26, 2023

EU slams threat to 'stability'

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell said he was "very concerned about current events in Niamey", adding Brussels' condemnation of any "attempts to destabilise the democracy and threaten the stability of Niger".

Très préoccupé par les événements en cours à #Niamey.

L’UE condamne toute tentative de déstabiliser la démocratie et menacer la stabilité du #Niger.

L’UE s’associe aux déclarations du Président du Nigeria Tinubu au nom de la @ecowas_cedeao
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 26, 2023

A statement from France’s foreign ministry said Paris also “strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force” in Niger, adding that France is "concerned" and is "closely following the development of the situation".

A key Western ally

Bazoum was elected president of Niger in 2021, taking the helm of a country mired in poverty and burdened by a history of chronic instability.

His election was Niger’s first democratic transition of power following four military coups since the country gained independence from France in 1960.

A military unit tried to seize the presidential palace in March 2021 days before Bazoum was due to be sworn in, but the attempted coup was thwarted.