ECOWAS has dispatched Benin’s president, Patrice Talon, to the country, Niger to handle its developing crises.
The situation in Niger had been escalating, with reports early Wednesday morning from Niamey, the capital, claiming that President Mohamed Bazoum had been taken into prison by his own Presidential Guards, and that the Presidential Palace had been blocked off with military vehicles.
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In response to the growing issue, President Talon met with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Following their negotiations, it was decided that President Talon would lead an intervention expedition to Niger as soon as possible.
He stated that actions would be taken promptly to restore constitutional order in Niger.
“I’m here with President Tinubu because of the situation, for ECOWAS and President Tinubu, who is President of Nigeria, Niger’s neighbour, and President of Benin, who is also Niger’s neighbour, so we take things seriously and act quickly.”
“I believe that all necessary measures will be taken to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ultimate goal is peace and unity.”
“As the president has already stated, mediation efforts will be stepped up beginning this evening to ensure that the situation is resolved peacefully.”
“Even when unacceptable behaviour is observed, we must intervene to correct it by peaceful means.
It’s our first choice. “And we guarantee you that it will be a success,” Talon remarked.
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In Niger, presidential guards took Bazoum captive and prevented access to his residence and important ministries.
The African Union (AU) criticised the soldiers’ actions as “unacceptable,” while the ECOWAS Commission warned the plotters of harsh repercussions if anything happened to the president, his family, or country citizens.
