The United States and the United Kingdom have supported decision of the Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS to defend constitutional order of the Republic of Niger over the military coup.
Recall that on Sunday, the ECOWAS had an Extraordinary Summit on Socio- Political Situation in Republic of Niger where the leaders rejected any form of purported resignation by President Mohamed Bazoum and declared him as the only recognised and elected President by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.
Media Bypass News reports earlier the ECOWAS actions against the military junta which includes, putting all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger that can result in the use of force if the junta fail to comply within one week.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in a statement released on Sunday said the United States welcomes and commends the strong leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government to defend constitutional order in Niger.
Adding that the US support actions that respect the will of the Nigerien people and align with enshrined ECOWAS and African Union principles of “zero tolerance for unconstitutional change.
According to him, “We join ECOWAS and regional leaders in calling for immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family and the restoration of all state functions to the legitimate, democratically-elected government”.
Blinken further said that the United States further welcomes dispatch of the special representative of the ECOWAS Chair to Niger and urges all parties to work with ECOWAS for a peaceful and expeditious resolution of the current situation.
“The United States will remain actively engaged with ECOWAS and West African leaders on next steps to preserve Niger’s hard-earned democracy”, Secretary Blinken stated.
Also the British Government through a statement published by Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office said, the UK condemns in the strongest possible terms attempts to undermine democracy, peace and stability in Niger.
It said further that the Communique agreed at the Fifty First Extraordinary Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, held by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 30 July sets out a strong and clear response to this infringement of democratic rights of the people of Niger.
“We continue to stand by ECOWAS and their efforts to ensure a return to democracy in Niger”, the statement added.
In his reaction, the UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell said, the United Kingdom wholly supports the immediate political and economic measures announced today by ECOWAS and will suspend long-term development assistance to Niger.
“We will however continue to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Niger. The UK is a committed partner of Niger’s democratically elected government and calls for President Bazoum to be immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order”, he said.