Niger crisis: ECOWAS takes steps to restore democratic order

…dispatches Beninese President to intervene

By Egena Sunday Ode

In a desperate bid to tame the spiraling political unrest in the Republic of Niger, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday met with his Beninese counterpart, President Patrice Talon of Benin at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It was learnt that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) despatched the President Talon to the troubled country.
Reports had filtered out of Niamey, the Nigerien capital, Wednesday morning that the nation’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, had been seized by his Presidential Guards and the Presidential Palace cordoned off with military vehicles.
President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, had earlier in the day condemned the development, warning that the regional body, as well as the global community, would not condone disruption of constitutional order within the subregion.
However, in reaction to the Niger situation, President Tinubu met with his Beninese counterpart, Talon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where it was concluded that the Benin President immediately proceeded to Niger on an intervention mission.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting with Talon, President Tinubu affirmed that the meeting had to do with the political unrest in Niger, adding that the Benin President was heading to troubled nation already.
Asked what the meeting was all about, the Nigerian President said it was on the situation in Niger, of our neighbour and the military misbehaviour in that particular country.”
Asked if the subregional Commission would launch an immediate action on the development of planning towards it, Tinubu said “he’s going there now, he’s on his way to Niger Republic”.
Also speaking to state House correspondents in French, the President of Benin Republic said he came for the meeting to reason with President Tinubu on the development in their mutual neighbour’s territory, so that the situation is quickly addtessed.
According to him, steps would be taken swiftly, beginning with the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
“I am here with President Tinubu because of the situation for the ECOWAS and President Tinubu, who is President of Nigeria, Niger’s neighbour, with President of Benin, equally Niger’s neighbour, so we take things seriously and act rapidly.
“I believe all the means will be employed, as needed, for constitutional order to be reestablished in Niger, but the goal is for there to be peace and unity.
“So, as the President has already said, the mediation actions will be reinforced even starting this evening, so that the situation is regulated peacefully.
“Even when what is not acceptable is being done, it is necessary for us to correct that by peaceful means. It’s our first option. And we assure you that it will be successful,” Talon said.
The meeting in Abuja came as news filtered out of Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, that President Bazoum, had been held hostage by elements within his Presidential Guards.
Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Commission, had earlier in the day condemned the development in Niger, warning that the regional body, as well as the global community, would not condone coup d’etat in the subregion.