US hails ECOWAS on unconstitutional change in Niger, calls for release of President Bazoum

 

WASHINGTON – The United States of America has commended the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS over its resolve to defend and restore constitutional order to Niger.

In a statement, Secretary of States, Antony Blinken said the US welcomes and commends the strong leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government to defend constitutional order in Niger.

It added that actions so far taken respect the will of the Nigerien people and align with enshrined ECOWAS and African Union principles of “zero tolerance for unconstitutional change.”

“We join ECOWAS and regional leaders in calling for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family and the restoration of all state functions to the legitimate, democratically-elected government.

The United States further welcomes the dispatch of the special representative of the ECOWAS Chair to Niger and urges all parties to work with ECOWAS for a peaceful and expeditious resolution of the current situation.

The United States will remain actively engaged with ECOWAS and West African leaders on next steps to preserve Niger’s hard-earned democracy.