2023-07-30 22:44:12
On the occasion of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Niger in Abuja, the Chairman of the AU Commission spoke out on the coup that occurred recently in Niger. Moussa Faki Mahamad deplored the unconstitutional changes perpetrated by the military which, according to him, are gaining momentum in Africa. Regarding the kidnapping of President Bazoum, the chairman of the AU commission demanded his immediate release without conditions. According to him, it is necessary “to bring the putschists to restore the legal and democratically elected government”.
Here is the summary of his speech…
Excellency Mr. President, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, current President of ECOWAS Excellencies Heads of State and Government. Your Excellencies, Heads of Delegation Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen
I am addressing you, Excellency, Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to congratulate you warmly on the rapid convening of this summit and to thank you sincerely for the invitation you have addressed to me to take part in it.
I also express to you my high appreciation and sincere thanks for the excellent welcome and the remarkable hospitality that you have reserved for us.
Excellency Mr. President,
The extreme gravity of what has just happened in Niger speaks for itself. Here is a country confronted with immense challenges of all kinds, which, with regard to all the criteria for assessing an African national situation, was on a good trajectory of progress at all levels.
Bold programs of economic and social development in full execution, a democratic alternation unanimously hailed across the continent and all over the world, an effective fight against terrorism now forced into the defensive and beginning its decline and its definitive defeat, a democratically elected, transparent and committed, an international credibility that opens the doors to all international financial institutions.
No one, not even the military entangled in this senseless adventure, can provide the slightest justification for the package against the republic and against democracy that occurred in Niger on July 26, 2023.
Excellencies Mr. President
Excellencies Heads of State,
The seriousness of this event goes far beyond the framework of Niger alone. By broadening the second scourge after terrorism, that of unconstitutional changes, the case of Niger constitutes a deafening alert on the risks of destabilization of the entire region.
The senseless nature of this coup d’etat, its flagrant violation of the principles of the AU and ECOWAS and the serious and real threats it poses to the stability of the states of the region, mean that it must be resolutely fought. This coup d’etat, like all the unconstitutional changes by means of which soldiers install themselves in power, must completely cease. The credibility of our institutions now largely depends on it. All complacent or hesitant attitudes towards their authors must also be discarded. Failure to dismiss them would be the best incentive for the multiplication of such harmful unconstitutional changes.
Excellencies
On this question we are deeply challenged by African and international opinions. The world is watching and listening to us. Better still, our responsibilities and our conscience dictate that we act, act quickly, act now, act very strongly. First and foremost, we need to bring President Mohamed Bazoum to safety by obtaining his immediate and unconditional release. It is, then, to bring the putschists to put back in place the legal and democratically elected government.
The ideal is to obtain these two requirements through negotiation, peaceful discussion respectful of sovereignty, the national and community unity of Niger and of all its political and military actors. But if this path is rejected by any party, we must not hesitate for a moment to take the measures, including the strongest sanctions, to bring the recalcitrant to apply the decisions and the relevant principles of the entire regional African architecture and continental.
Steps to seek international solidarity with ECOWAS and the AU must be developed rapidly to ensure maximum efficiency in our common action and promptness of the expected results.
The AU PSC has already taken up the issue. We are resolutely at your side and we will unfailingly support the decisions you take for an immediate return to democratic constitutional order in Niger.
Thank you for your high attention
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