The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has called on all actors involved in the coup attempt in Niger Republic to “exercise restraint and ensure the protection of constitutional order.”
OsunDailyNG reports that this was made known by the Spokesperson to the UN scribe, Stéphane Dujarric, at a press conference in New York on Wednesday.
Guterres strongly condemned an attempted power grab in the West African nation of Niger, following reports that the democratically elected president is being held by some of his own guards inside his official residence.
“He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger.
“The Secretary-General calls on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order”, the statement said.
The UN said it would always stand by the Government and the people of Niger
According to news reports, the officers seized President Mohamed Bazoum and blockaded his residence in the capital Niamey on Wednesday, leading the African Union Commission Chair, to describe their actions as “tantamount to an attempted coup d’etat” – although there have been no reports so far of gunfire.
The would be plotters have reportedly not gained support from other elements of the military or security forces, but talks to secure the president’s release have been unsuccessful so far
Following the development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Heads of Government, and EECOWAS condemned the detention of President Bazoum by members of the Presidential Guard.
