US vice president, Tinubu in phone call after coup in Niger

The Vice President of the United States (US), Kamala Harris said she spoke with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about defending democracy in West Africa and other issues.

Harris disclosed this in the early hours of Friday while she also tweeted that she and Tinubu discussed about the ties between Nigeria and the US.

The phone call between the two leaders came after a coup in Nigeria’s neighbour Niger sacked President Mohamed Bazoum.

“Today, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria about the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and our shared work on global and regional issues,” she tweeted.

“These issues are ranging from defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel to promoting digital inclusion and economic growth.”

Today, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria about the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and our shared work on global and regional issues—from defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel to promoting digital inclusion and economic growth. pic.twitter.com/v1or2CECKt

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 28, 2023

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the coup.

He vowed not to tolerate any actions against the West African country’s democratically-elected government.

Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army.

According to reports, disgruntled members of the guard sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices, and after talks broke down, they refused to release the president.

In response to Bazoum’s detention, Tinubu said in a statement on Wednesday that the ECOWAS was closely monitoring the situation and developments in the Niger Republic.

Tinubu stated that the ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.

He also noted that the ECOWAS leadership and “all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situations that incapacitate the country’s democratically-elected government.”

The ECOWAS chairman added that the commission will do everything within its powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well-rooted and thrives in its region.

“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism,” Tinubu stated.

“Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”