Many countries and regional organizations continue to express their views on the situation in Niger and stand ready to take necessary measures.
 |
| A group of supporters of the military coup set fire to the French Embassy in Niger. (Source: Reuters) |
On July 30, the government spokesman of the Republic of Chad confirmed that the President of this country - General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has arrived in Niger to help resolve the crisis in the neighboring country after the coup. According to spokesman Aziz Mahamat Saleh, the leader's visit to the capital Niamey "is to assess what he can bring to resolve the crisis". This trip was made at the initiative of the Republic of Chad.
For their part, within the framework of the emergency summit on July 30 in Abuja (Nigeria) regarding the situation in Niger, the leaders attending the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) meeting decided to impose financial and travel sanctions on the military leaders who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
The heads of state of ECOWAS and the eight-nation West African Economic and Monetary Union could also expel Niger, cut off Niamey's links with the regional central bank and financial markets and close its borders.
The bloc demanded the “immediate release and restoration” of elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The joint statement said: “In the event that the demands of the (Nigerian military) authorities are not met within one week, (ECOWAS will) take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in Niger. Such measures may include the use of force. To this end, the ECOWAS military chiefs will immediately convene.”
On the same day, the Elysee Palace warned that France would respond to any attack on its citizens, military, diplomats and interests in Niger. Paris condemned the violence that broke out around its embassy in Niger, where a coup took place earlier this week, and asked local authorities to protect the diplomatic mission's building.
“The Nigerian forces are obliged to ensure the security of our diplomatic and consular missions under the Vienna Convention,” the French Foreign Ministry stressed, condemning “any acts of violence against diplomatic missions.” “We call on them to immediately fulfil this obligation,” the ministry said.
Earlier, thousands of protesters supporting the military government gathered outside the French Embassy in Niger's capital Niamey, after Paris suspended aid due to the coup in the West African country.
Also on July 30, the UK announced that it had condemned the activities undermining democracy, peace and stability in Niger. At the same time, London will stand side by side with ECOWAS in its efforts to restore stability to the West African country. Affirming that it is a partner of the democratically elected government in Niger, the UK called on the military forces to immediately reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum to restore constitutional order.
Source
Comment (0)