President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will not accept any attempt by the military junta in Niger to intimidate and harass President Mohamed Bazoum.
Tinubu spoke when he received the Special Envoy of President Ali Bongo Ondimba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gabon, Mr. Hermann Immongault, at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
He also welcomed the solidarity of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on the political impasse in the Republic of Niger.
The President said the special message of support and solidarity from President Bongo, who doubles as the Chairman of ECCAS, expressing the full support of ECOWAS resolutions on the unconstitutional takeover of government in Niger, proved once more that military interference in democratic governance is not acceptable anywhere, and certainly, no longer so on the African continent.
He said he appreciated the solidarity and support of Bongo on the situation in Niger, saying ECOWAS was working not to compound the problem, adding that well-meaning people who had intervened.
Tinubu said he understood the fear of the on any form of military action, adding that ECOWAS was working to keep the sanctions in place and following them to the letter.
He said ECOWAS is happy to know that ECCAS is with them on this, stressing that interference in democratic governance is not acceptable to ECOWAS.
Tinubu, who is also Chairman of the ECOWAS, has promised to work with Bongo and ECCAS to restore constitutional order in Niger.
“We will work with ECCAS and keep President Bongo informed on our actions and we will continue to collaborate,” Tinubu said.
The Special Envoy commended the leadership of ECOWAS and Tinubu for the steps taken so far to restore democracy in Niger.
Immongault added that Bongo and ECCAS were fully in support of all ECOWAS resolutions.
According to him, Bongo has been following his efforts and those of other ECOWAS leaders on the situation in Niger.
He said Bongo and ECCAS strongly condemned coup in Niger.
“He sent me here to tell you that he supports ECOWAS and your leadership in what you are doing to ensure democratic governance is restored in Niger.
“With Boko Haram attacks in Cameroon, piracy in Gulf of Guinea and the refugee situation in Chad, whatever happens in West Africa affects Central Africa. My President joins efforts with you and ECOWAS to find solution to the crisis in ECOWAS,” he said.
The Special Envoy noted that he would communicate the firm solidarity between ECCAS and ECOWAS to the military authorities in Niger as they meet in the coming days.