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Nigeria Voices Concern Over Failed Coup in Niger and Calls for Return to Constitutional Rule
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Nigeria Voices Concern Over Failed Coup in Niger and Calls for Return to Constitutional Rule

From Premium Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Nigeria said it was deeply concerned about Niger’s political and security situation after a mutiny in Niamey was thwarted.
  • The Nigerian government urged an inclusive, peaceful return to stability and constitutional order and warned against using force to settle political disputes.
  • The episode comes amid strained relations between the neighboring countries following Niger’s 2023 coup and withdrawal from ECOWAS.

Nigeria has urged Niger to return to constitutional order after a failed mutiny in Niamey, while warning that force cannot resolve political disputes.

In a statement signed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oluwadamilola Adeniyi, the Nigerian government said it was closely monitoring events in its neighboring country. It described Niger’s political and security situation as a matter of “deep concern” and said stability there was important to Nigeria and the wider Sahel.

The Government of Nigeria views with deep concern the current political and security situation in the Republic of Niger.

— Oluwadamilola Adeniyi, Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokespersonThe statement opened Nigeria’s response to the failed mutiny in Niger.

The mutiny involved heavy gunfire and explosions in parts of Niamey, including around Diori Hamani International Airport, Air Base 101 and other key positions. Mutineers also tried to enter the fortified presidential palace, where junta leader Abdourahmane Tchiani was located and protected by elite presidential forces. The attack was thwarted after hours of fighting, with help from the Russian-backed African Corps.

Any resort to the use of force to settle political differences detracts from this objective.

— Nigerian governmentNigeria warned that force undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.

Nigeria referred to its longstanding historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger and said peace, security, democracy and development should prevail. It called on Niger’s authorities and people to pursue “an inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order.”

The statement reflects a difficult relationship between the two neighbors. Niger was suspended from ECOWAS after the 2023 coup that brought Tchiani to power. Niger later withdrew from the regional bloc with junta-led Mali and Burkina Faso to form the Alliance of Sahel States. Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu’s ECOWAS leadership, had condemned the coup and imposed sanctions and a border blockade, although those measures have since been lifted. Relations have not fully recovered.

An inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order

— Nigerian governmentNigeria’s call to Niger’s authorities and people for a peaceful political transition.
About this summary

Originally published by Premium Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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