By Linus Aleke
The Federal Government, said, it will reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from the ousted democratically elected president of the Republic of Niger, President Mohamed Bazoum, perhaps under duress.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa, made this disclosure while briefing the diplomatic corps on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.
He noted that the Authority welcomes the immediate condemnation, by the international community, of the coup in Nger and sees it as a huge testimony to the preference for democracy and constitutional rule, vis-avis any other form of governance.
He added that Nigeria and indeed, ECOWAS, called upon the international community to remain resolute on this stance and to continue to show solidarity to ECOWAS in affirming the superiority of democratic and constitutional rule over dictatorship.
According to him, “No doubt, the developments in Niger, like Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea, have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in the region. There is concern that the success of the coup in Niger would significantly dampen ECOWAS’s reputation, especially if the country joins the ranks of others that are governed by unconstitutional leaders, such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.
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“The ECOWAS authority aims to ensure that the life of President Bazoum, his family members and other political leaders detained alongside him are preserved and their constitutional rights protected. The Region holds that President Bazoum remains the legitimate President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, recognized and supported by ECOWAS, the AU and the International Community and therefore rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from him, perhaps under duress”.
But answering questions on whether ECOWAS would employ a kinetic approach in Niger, the permanent secretary said that the use of force will be the last resort as FG and ECOWAS are prioritizing diplomatic options.
He also noted: Use of force is the last resort, but we pray we don’t get there. For now, it is mediation, mediation and mediation. Every situation comes with its solution, Nigeria has not sent military to Niger, we have mediated in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, under the umbrella of ECOWAS and that is exactly what we are doing in Niger. Niger is not different…”.
On the expulsion of a Nigerian diplomat in Niger, alongside others like US, Togo and France, the permanent secretary said, “I had not yet been contacted on the alleged expulsion of Nigerian ambassador to the Republic of Niger and others”.
