Niger: Biden commends Tinubu for displaying strong leadership in defence of democracy

United States President, Joe Biden, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for his effort towards preserving the rule of law and democracy in Niger Republic.
Tinubu in his capacity as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – a sub-regional group to which the Niger Republic belongs – had swiftly condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on the new regime.

ECOWAS had also dispatched a series of delegations, including the one led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military head of state, to negotiate with the country’s military junta.

Biden also reaffirmed his commitment to the longstanding relationship between the United States and Nigeria.This was contained in a statement released by the White House, following Biden’s encounter with Tinubu at the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, yesterday.

“President Joe Biden has reinforced our enduring commitment to the U.S.-Nigeria relationship and to the longstanding friendship between our two countries and peoples,” the statement reads.

“President Biden welcomed the Tinubu administration’s steps to reform Nigeria’s economy. He also thanked President Tinubu for his strong leadership as the chair of ECOWAS to defend and preserve democracy and the rule of law in Niger and the broader region.”

Biden added that Nigeria’s invitation to the G20 Summit is in recognition of the country’s important global role as Africa’s largest democracy and economy.