EU Asks Niger Coup Plotters to Return Power to Democratically Elected Govt

·      Joins ECOWAS to impose severe sanctions

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The European Union yesterday asked the coup plotters in Niger Republic to vacate office and return government to democratically elected representatives.

The EU, a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe, insisted that the government they formed would never be recognised.

In a statement by its High Representative, Josep Borrell, the union announced its readiness to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to impose severe sanctions on Niger should the coup plotters not hand back power to duly elected officials.

The union stressed that their action is without consequences, saying the EU “does not recognize and will not recognize the authorities resulting from the putsch in Niger.

“President Bazoum was democratically elected; he is and therefore remains the only legitimate President of Niger. His (Bazoum) release must be unconditional and without delay. The EU holds the putschists responsible for his safety and that of his family.”

It also said the announcement by the putschists of the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of democratic institutions weakened the state and the people of Niger Republic, whose peace, stability and security must be preserved.

It explained that the European Union “reiterates its very clear calls for the full and complete restoration, without delay, of constitutional order and fully associates itself with the declarations of ECOWAS and its African and international partners in this regard.

“In coordination with the President of the European Council, I will continue this weekend the numerous contacts already underway in order to achieve this result. And we stand ready to support future ECOWAS decisions, including the adoption of sanctions.

“This unacceptable attack on the integrity of Niger’s republican institutions will not remain without consequences for the partnership and cooperation which binds the European Union and Niger, in all different aspects.

“In this regard, in addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the security field are suspended sine die with immediate effect.”