The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has emphasized the importance of pressure to ensure the release of Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held in his residence since the military coup on July 26. Blinken commended the efforts of ECOWAS and its chairman, President Bola Tinubu, for their decisions to reinstate the deposed leader.
The ECOWAS has condemned the treason charges brought against Bazoum by the junta, describing him as the legitimate President of Niger. The regional bloc expressed concern over the attempts to prosecute Bazoum and called for his immediate release and reinstatement.
The situation in Niger remains tense as various parties continue to navigate the political crisis through diplomacy and dialogue. The Association of West African Universities (AWAU) has also called for peaceful means to resolve the impasse, emphasizing the delicate implications of resorting to force. The Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged Nigerian troops to be combat-ready and reassured that the army is prepared to defend the country’s territorial integrity if needed.