‘Strong leadership’ — Biden commends Tinubu for ECOWAS intervention in Niger Republic

‘Strong leadership’ — Biden commends Tinubu for ECOWAS intervention in Niger Republic

 US President Joe Biden has commended President Bola Tinubu
for his effort towards preserving the rule of law and democracy in Niger
Republic.

 

On July 26, the Nigerien military, led by Amadou Abdramane,
toppled the democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

 

The military leadership also announced the dissolution of
the nation’s constitution, suspension of all institutions, and closure of the
country’s borders.

 

Tinubu in his capacity as chairman of the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) – a sub-regional group to which the Niger
Republic belongs – had swiftly condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on the
new regime.

 

ECOWAS had also dispatched a series of delegations,
including the one led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military head of state,
to negotiate with the country’s military junta.

 

In a statement released by the White House during the second
day of the G20 summit in India, the US president appreciated Tinubu for
preserving the rule of law in Niger and also acknowledged his national economic
policies in Nigeria.

 

The US president added that America is committed to
reinforcing its longstanding relationship with Nigeria.

 

Biden acknowledged the steps taken by Tinubu’s
administration “to reform Nigeria’s economy”.

 

He also thanked the Nigerian president for his “strong
leadership” as the chair of  ECOWAS,
towards defending democracy and preserving the rule of law in Niger and the
broader region.

 

“Nigeria’s invitation to the G20 Summit is a recognition of
Nigeria’s important global role as Africa’s largest democracy and economy
Republic amid military takeover,” Biden said.

 

TINUBU ON NIGER’S
CRISIS

On August 26, in a meeting with Molly Phee, US assistant
secretary of state for African affairs, Tinubu revealed that the crisis in
Niger is detrimental to the economic reforms in Nigeria.

 

The president maintained that although he is holding ECOWAS
from military intervention in Niger Republic, defending democracy in the region
is sacrosanct, adding that the “consensus is that we will not allow anyone to
insincerely buy time”.

 

“We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue
in Niger by leveraging on our diplomatic tools. I continue to hold ECOWAS back,
despite its readiness for all options, in order to exhaust all other remedial
mechanisms,” Tinubu said.

 

“War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the
region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct.”

 

Source: ‘Strong leadership’ — Biden commends Tinubu for ECOWAS intervention in Niger Republic

 - NigerianEye
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