©AfreePress-(Lomé, July 27, 2023)-In a statement released early on the morning of wednesday, July 26, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemns the coup d’état in Niger against President Mohamed Bazoum.
“With shock and dismay, ECOWAS has learned of the attempted coup d’état in Niger. It vehemently condemns this attempt to seize power by force and calls on the perpetrators of this act to immediately and unconditionally release the democratically elected President of the Republic,” states the organization’s communiqué.
The sub-regional institution warns the perpetrators of this attempted forceful takeover.
“ECOWAS and the international community will hold all those involved in this act accountable for the security and safety of the President, his family members, government officials, and the general public,” continues the statement.
According to the Nigerien Presidency, this “anti-republican movement of unrest” was orchestrated by elements of the presidential guard (GP), who early on the morning of July 26, 2023, barricaded all access to the Nigerien presidential palace, preventing the President and the Minister of the Interior from any movement.
Raphaël A.
