ECOWAS Condemns Coup Attempt in Niger

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has condemned the attempted coup in Niger.

The sub-regional bloc in a statement today condemned in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and called on the coup plotters to free the democratically- elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition.

It said the international community will hold all those involved in the plot responsible for the security and safety of the president, his family, members of the government and the general public.

ECOWAS said it received the news of the attempted coup with shock and consternation.

VOP News gathered that there was an attempted coup today in Niger where the presidential palace was blocked by soldiers.

It is believed that the president is inside the palace. However, a statement from the presidency confirmed the safety of the president.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu who doubles as the chairperson of ECOWAS also condemned the coup attempt.

He enthused that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country or any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.

He explained that as Chairman, he is in close consultation with other leaders in the West African region who would protect its hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism