AFRICA FOCUS

Niger coup; EU threatens grave consequences if President health fails

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2023

The national flags of Niger and Mali stand on a table during the Extraordinary meeting of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, Ghana, on August 17, 2023. – West African military chiefs met in Ghana on August 17, 2023 to coordinate a possible armed intervention to reverse a coup in Niger, as Germany called for EU sanctions against the rebel leaders. Alarmed by a series of military takeovers in the region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed to activate a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger. ECOWAS is demanding Niger’s coup leaders release President Mohamed Bazoum after his July 26 ouster, warning that the bloc could send in troops as a last resort if negotiations fail. (Photo by GERARD NARTEY / AFP)

AFP

EU chief Charles Michel warned there will be “grave consequences” if Niger’s military regime allows ousted President Mohamed Bazoum’s health to worsen under house arrest, a European official said Friday.

In a call to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, chair of the ECOWAS regional bloc which opposes the Niger coup, Michel said “President Bazoum’s detention conditions are deteriorating”.

Bazoum, 63, was detained on July 26 by members of his presidential guard, in the fifth coup to hit Niger since independence from France in 1960. He and his family are detained in the presidential palace.

“The Nigerian president stressed the determination and political will of ECOWAS to act together. ECOWAS will maintain their sanctions despite the economic impact these have on some of the countries from the region,” the official said.

Michel “reiterated the EU’s full support and backing of ECOWAS’ decisions, as well as firm condemnation of the unacceptable coup de force in Niger.

“The EU will not recognize the authorities resulting from the putsch in Niger. President Bazoum, democratically elected, remains the legitimate head of state of Niger,” she said.

“President Bazoum’s detention conditions are deteriorating. Any further deterioration to his well-being status will have grave consequences.”