UK backs ECOWAS moves to resolve crisis in Niger

The British government has expressed support for diplomatic efforts by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to resolve the crisis in Niger after a coup that removed the country’s democratically elected president from office.

President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed July 26 in a military coup led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard.

“The United Kingdom supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the restoration of constitutional order and democracy in Niger,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Emphasising the UK position in support of democracy in Niger, the statement commeded the “determination of ECOWAS” to pursue all means to bring about a peaceful resolution.

“We stand with ECOWAS in condemnation of the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family, and members of the government, as well as the unacceptable conditions under which they are being held, and call for their immediate release,” it added.

Military chiefs from the ECOWAS bloc will be meeting on Saturday in Ghana on the coup in Niger.

The meeting will take place in Accra and it has been hinted that the military chiefs will use the opportunity to commence plans for a military intervention.

The coup leaders have,however, threatened to kill Bazoum, should ECOWAS go ahead with its proposed military intervention.