President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has spoken out against the military coup in Niger Republic, stating that Africa has reached a new level of maturity. His remarks came during an Extra-Ordinary Summit held in Abuja to address the political situation in Niger.
During the summit, President Tinubu conveyed ECOWAS’s dissatisfaction with the coup d’état that resulted in General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of Niger’s influential presidential guard, assuming power. The coup unfolded on a Wednesday, when General Tchiani’s presidential guards took President Mohamed Bazoum into custody, culminating in Tchiani declaring himself the leader on Friday.
This seizure of power has triggered widespread condemnation from various world and regional leaders, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, and the United States.
General Tchiani, who had previously led a prestigious 700-member elite unit, had largely remained out of the public eye until his recent actions.
Niger, despite being resource-rich with vast uranium deposits, has faced significant challenges since gaining independence from France in 1960. The nation has witnessed multiple coups and failed coup attempts. Additionally, it is currently grappling with the impact of jihadist violence, a predicament shared by some of its neighboring countries.