Tinubu leads ECOWAS emergency meeting to address Niger coup crisis
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is currently leading the emergency meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. In this meeting, President Tinubu urged the leaders present to devise strong resolutions that would impose severe sanctions on the coup plotters who unlawfully removed President Mohammed Bazoum from power in Niger.
Welcoming participants to the meeting, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude for their presence and their swift acceptance of his invitation at such short notice. Among the attendees are the transitional President of Tchad, Gen Mahamat Kaka, President Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea Bissau, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, and President Macky Sall of Senegal.
Joining them are President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President Nana Akofo-Ado of Ghana, and President Adama Barrow of The Gambia.
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During his address to the ECOWAS leaders, President Tinubu emphasized that this is not the time for mere warnings to the coup plotters. The resolutions made in this summit will irrevocably shape Africa’s democratic credentials as a continent.
“It is a great honor to have you all here, having accepted my invitation on such short notice. This emergency summit was necessitated by the situation in Niger Republic. I deeply appreciate your authority and unwavering dedication as members of this Union. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the African Union and other international observers,” President Tinubu conveyed.
“We cannot pretend to be unaware of the events that have transpired and continue to unfold. We are faced with a hostage situation and an interruption to a properly elected government in Niger Republic. Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to democracy. This is a challenging time, and it is now, more than ever, that we must demonstrate our commitment to the indisputable truth that without freedom and democracy, there can be no development, and poverty will persist,” he further explained.
President Tinubu reassured the leaders that during the forthcoming discussions, he would openly discuss the steps he has taken and his preparedness to cooperate with all essential resolutions in order to address the assault on Niger’s democracy.
He emphasized that his main priority is the safety and well-being of President Bazoum, as well as the restoration of democracy in Niger Republic.
President Tinubu expressed his unwavering determination to work together with the ECOWAS leaders to find a strong and decisive solution to this crisis, ensuring that justice is served and democracy is preserved in the region.
