Niger Coup: ECOWAS Dispatches Benin President To Niamey

To address the escalating crisis in the Republic of Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken action by dispatching the president of Benin, Patrice Talon, to the country.

The situation in Niger had been causing growing concern, with reports emerging from Niamey, the capital, early Wednesday morning stating that President Mohamed Bazoum was taken into custody by his own Presidential Guards, while the Presidential Palace was cordoned off with military vehicles.

Reacting to the unfolding crisis, President Talon held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

After their discussions, it was decided that President Talon would lead an intervention mission to Niger without delay.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting with Talon, President Tinubu affirmed that the meeting had to do with the political unrest in Niger, adding that the Benin President was heading to the troubled nation already.

Asked what the meeting was all about, the Nigerian President said it was on the situation in Niger, saying “of our neighbour and the military misbehaviour in that particular country and that is what he’s here for.”

Asked if the subregional commission would launch an immediate action on the development or planning towards it, Tinubu said, “He’s going there now, he’s on his way to Niger Republic.”

Also speaking in French to journalists, the president of Benin Republic said he came for the meeting to reason with President Tinubu on the development in their mutual neighbour’s territory, so that the situation is rapidly dealt with.

According to him, steps would be taken swiftly, starting immediately, to restore constitutional order in Niger.

“I am here with President Tinubu because of the situation, for the ECOWAS and President Tinubu, who is President of Nigeria, Niger’s neighbour, with President of Benin, equally Niger’s neighbour, so we take things seriously and act rapidly.

“I believe all the means will be employed, as needed, for constitutional order to be reestablished in Niger, but the goal is for there to be peace and unity.

“So, as the president has already said, the mediation actions will be reinforced even starting this evening, so that the situation is regulated peacefully.

“Even when what is not acceptable is being done, it is necessary for us to correct that by peaceful means. It’s our first option. And we assure you that it will be successful,” Talon said.

Presidential guards in Niger had held Bazoum hostage and blocked his residence, as well as key ministries.

The African Union (AU) condemned the soldiers’ actions, saying they are “unacceptable”, while the ECOWAS Commission warned the plotters of severe consequences if anything happened to the president, his family and citizens of the country.

The president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.

Another report said the move was a “fit of temper” by troops.

Reports had said the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former leaders were involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating, but it is not clear if those talks are still taking place.

A source close to the president said that the talks had broken down and that the guards, who have refused to release the president, have been issued an ultimatum by the army.