• Says It Won’t Recognise Military Junta
• CSO Urges ECOWAS, Int’l Community To Impose Sanctions
The European Union (EU) has said that it does not recognise and would not recognise the authorities resulting from the putsch in Niger Republic.
The EU made its position on the development known yesterday through a statement by its High Representative on the latest development in Niger, Joseph Borrell.
This was as the Citizens Action for Good Governance (CAGG), yesterday, urged leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the international community to sanction leaders of the military coup in the West African country.
The statement by the EU noted that President Mohammed Bazoum was democratically elected and therefore remains the only legitimate President of Niger Republic.
The EU also insisted that his release from detention must be unconditional and without delay, saying the body holds the putschists responsible for his safety and that of his family.
The statement reads: “The announcement by the putschists of the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of democratic institutions weakens the State and the people of Niger, whose peace, stability and security must be preserved.
“The European Union reiterates its very clear calls for the full and complete restoration, without delay, of constitutional order and fully associates itself with the declarations of ECOWAS and its African and international partners in this regard.
“In coordination with the President of the European Council, I will continue this weekend the numerous contacts already underway in order to achieve this result. And we stand ready to support future ECOWAS decisions, including the adoption of sanctions.
“This unacceptable attack on the integrity of Niger’s republican institutions will not remain without consequences for the partnership and cooperation which binds the European Union and Niger, in all different aspects. In this regard, in addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the security field are suspended sine die with immediate effect.”
While also vehemently condemning the coup in Niger Republic, the CAGG said coup was out of fashion and a wrong approach for the military officers involved to express their perceived grievances.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, National Coordinator of CAGG, Mallam Nazir Galadanchi, applauded the steps taken so far by the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the prompt deployment of troops to secure the Nigeria-Niger Republic border to forestall any spill over of the coup into Nigeria was strategic.
There have been at least seven successful coups leading to unconstitutional transfer of power in five sub-Saharan African countries in the past two years.
The development is leading to fears of a resurgence of coups on the continent. Some of the affected countries include Chad, Mali (twice), Guinea, Burkina Faso, Sudan and now Niger.
The military in Niger sacked the civilian government of President Bazoum who was elected in 2021 in the first civilian handover of power.
Bazoum’s presidential guard had held him hostage in the palace last Wednesday, accusing him of “bad governance and worsening security.”
Last Friday, the head of the Presidential Guards Unit, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, declared himself Niger’s new leader.
Galandachi, while describing the coup as highly barbaric and uncivilised, said the action of the military officers who spearheaded it in pursuit of “their selfish ambitions is unpopular and against the wish of the people.”
He added: “This coup d’etat is an affront to the existing democracy in the country because President Mohammed Bazoum who has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday was duly elected and recognised by the international community, and whoever that topples his government forcefully is an enemy of the people and democracy.
“We at CAGG stand with the people of Niger Republic and demand that President Mohamed Bazoum be released immediately along with his family, and calls for the immediate restoration of democracy in Niger Republic.
“The international community must stand united against any attempts to subvert democracy and the rule of law. As a beacon of hope and justice, we urge all nations, regional organisations and stakeholders to condemn this coup unequivocally and demand the immediate release of President Bazoum.
“Furthermore, CAGG calls on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the coup to demonstrate the collective commitment to protect democracy and deter any future attempts to undermine it.
“We appeal to them to exert diplomatic pressure on the perpetrators of the coup to reverse their actions. The detained president’s rights must be fully respected, and he must be granted a safe return to his rightful position as the democratically elected leader of Niger.”
Galandachi noted that Niger has made significant strides towards establishing a democratic government and ensuring the rule of law, adding that the coup attempt poses a serious threat to the progress achieved thus far and undermines the aspirations of the Nigerien citizens for a prosperous and democratic nation.
“The coup represents a regressive step, jeopardising the rights and aspirations of the Nigerien people. Such actions not only violate the principles of democracy but also undermine the collective efforts of the nation to achieve prosperity and a better future for its citizens.
“In this critical time, we stand in solidarity with the Nigerien people and extend our unwavering support to their rightful quest for democracy, human rights and stability.
“We call upon all Nigeriens to remain calm and peaceful in expressing their grievances and to work together towards a united, democratic and prosperous Niger. We appeal to them to stop the destruction, looting and lawlessness currently going on in the country,” he said.
