The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed Beninese President Patrice Talon to the Niger Republic over the unfolding tension in the country.
On Wednesday morning, a heavy military presence was reported at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger’s capital city.
President Mohamed Bazoum was said to be held hostage by soldiers and was denied access to his office and residence — likely signs of a possible coup d’état.
Frowning at the development, President Bola Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS chairperson, said the body will not tolerate acts that undermine democracy in the region.
Tinubu said the situation was being closely monitored, noting that ECOWAS was doing everything “within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region”.
The Beninese president was reported to have met with Tinubu a few hours ago at the state house in Abuja.
Talon was said to have briefed Tinubu on the security situation in the West African region, including efforts to restore democratic governance in Mail, Guinea Bissau and Burkina Faso, which had fallen to coup d’etat in the last two years.
The situation in Niger was also reported to have been discussed.