ECOWAS: Coup Has Worsened Insecurity in Niger

•Worries over killing of Nigerien soldiers

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has expressed worries over the degeneration of the security situation in Niger, a development, it claims, has resulted in the killing of Nigerien soldiers by armed groups.

In a statement, yesterday, ECOWAS reiterated the need to return the country to democracy by reinstating ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in a coup d’état led by  General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

Insisting that this was the quickest option for the restoration of peace and development, the statement added, “ECOWAS has learnt with sadness various attacks by armed groups in the Republic of Niger that have led to the death of several Nigerien soldiers.

“ECOWAS condemns these attacks and conveys its deepest condolences to the people of Niger and the families of the soldiers, who have lost their lives.

“ECOWAS calls on the CNSP-military leadership in Niger to restore constitutional order in order to focus on the security of the country that had become increasingly fragile since the attempted coup d’état against the democratically elected President, H.E. Mohamed Bazoum.”