Addressing the Media after the ECOWAS Extraordinary Meeting in Abuja on Thursday, President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast shared his Perspective on the recent coup in Niger Republic.
He emphasized that the Declaration by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deploy a standby Force is not an action of Nigeria against Niger, but rather ECOWAS standing United against the Situation in Niger.
President Ouattara highlighted that ECOWAS has consistently denounced coup d’états in the sub-region and recalled similar situations in Countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Guinea Bissau.
He underscored that the current Issue in Niger is not a matter of one Nation against another, but a collective decision by ECOWAS to uphold Democratic principles and condemn such acts.
Regarding Dialogue efforts, President Ouattara mentioned that prominent figures such as Former Nigerian President Abdusalami Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto Sanusi Lamido Sanusi were dispatched to engage with the Military junta.
However, the refusal of the Coup Leaders to release President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members while keeping him in Detention was deemed unacceptable.
President Ouattara labeled this act as a form of Terrorism and stressed that the situation cannot be allowed to persist.
He asserted that the Unanimous stance of ECOWAS is to uphold the Credibility of the Organization and send a clear message that Coup Leaders should remain in the barracks and focus on addressing Terrorism, rather than undermining Democratically Elected Governments.
Recalling the resolution made by ECOWAS, President Ouattara reiterated that the activation of the ECOWAS standby Force was directed by the Chief of Defence Staff.
The resolution emphasized the Deployment of the Standby Force to restore Constitutional order in the Niger Republic, underlining the Collective determination of ECOWAS to address the issue and urging support from the African Union, Partner Countries, and Institutions.
In conclusion, President Ouattara’s Statements underscore the Unity of ECOWAS in addressing the Coup situation in Niger and restoring Democratic Governance to the Nation.
