The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denounced the attempted coup in Niger Republic and warned of consequences if the plotters do not desist from their action and release President Mohamed Bazoum, who is reportedly held hostage.
Tension is high in the Republic of Niger on Wednesday as soldiers have reportedly barricaded the presidential palace as well as several ministries in the capital, Niamey and anxiety about the fate of President Bazoum grows in what looks like an attempted coup in the country.
Reports said that no shots were fired and it’s not clear if this is an attempt by the presidential guard to seize power.
The president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.
Reports also said that President Bazoum is being blockaded in his residence with his family, but the enraged soldiers are being assuaged as talks by former President Mohammed Issoufou and other past leaders are underway to bring the situation under control.
“The President of the Republic and his family are doing well. The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack” those involved in this incident, the president’s office added.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ECOWAS Commission based in Abuja said it received the news of the attempted coup d’ etat in Niger “with shock and consternation.”
Part of the statement read: “ECOWAS condemns in the strongest of terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically –elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition.
“ECOWAS and the international community will hold all those involved in the plot responsible for the security of and safety of the President, his family, members of the government and the general public.”
The regional bloc said further that it will not tolerate any more coups in West Africa.
Niger is a landlocked West African state, which has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.
President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France.
The country’s last coup occurred in February 2010, overturning then President Mamadou Tandja.
Niger has been beset by two Jihadists uprising – one in the south-west, which swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015, and the other in the south-east, involving jihadists based in north-eastern Nigeria.
Militant groups linked to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State have troubled the country in recent years leading to deaths and destruction.
Countries in West are increasing being plagued by coups in recent times. Mali Guinea and Burkina Faso have experienced coups recently amid difficult economy and high poverty rate.
