President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the solidarity of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in the political impasse in the Republic of Niger.
The president spoke as he received President’s Special Envoy Ali Bongo Ondimba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gabon, Hermann Immongault, at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
The President said that the special message of support and solidarity from President Bongo, who doubles as President of ECCAS, expressing the full support of ECOWAS resolutions on the unconstitutional takeover of government in Niger, demonstrated once again that military interference in democratic governance is not acceptable anywhere, and certainly not on the African continent anymore.
“I appreciate President Bongo’s solidarity and support on the situation in Niger. We are working not to aggravate the problem. We have well-intentioned people who have intervened. I understand our people’s fear of any form of military action. We are working to keep the sanctions in place and we are following them to the letter. We are glad to know that ECCAS is with us on this. Interference in democratic governance is not acceptable to ECOWAS”.
President Tinubu, also Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Authority, promised to work with President Bongo and ECCAS to restore constitutional order in Niger.
He reinforced the position of the regional body not to accept any attempt by the military junta in Niger to intimidate and harass President Mohamed Bazoum.
“We will work with ECCAS and keep Chairman Bongo informed of our actions, and we will continue to collaborate,” said Chairman Tinubu.
In his remarks, the Special Envoy praised the ECOWAS leadership and President Tinubu for the steps taken so far to restore democracy in Niger, adding that President Bongo and ECACAS fully support all ECOWAS resolutions.
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“President Bongo has been following his efforts and those of other ECOWAS leaders on the situation in Niger. President Bongo and ECCAS strongly condemn the coup in Niger. He sent me here to tell you that he supports ECOWAS and its leadership in what he is doing to ensure that democratic governance is restored in Niger. With Boko Haram attacks in Cameroon, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the refugee situation in Chad, whatever happens in West Africa affects Central Africa. My president joins efforts with you and ECOWAS to find a solution to the crisis in ECOWAS”, he said.
The Special Envoy noted that he will communicate the firm solidarity between ECCAS and ECOWAS to the military authorities in Niger when they meet in the coming days.
ajuri angelale
special adviser to the president
(Media and advertising)
August 15, 2023
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