UK condemns ‘in the strongest possible terms’ army takeover in Niger
T
he Government has condemned a army takeover in Niger which deposed the president final week and introduced it will likely be halting “long-term development assistance” to the nation within the wake of the coup.
Members of the Niger army stated on Wednesday they’d deposed democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.
On Friday, it was introduced General Abdourahmane Tchiani would take over because the nation’s new chief, including Niger to a rising checklist of army regimes in West Africa’s Sahel area.
At an emergency assembly on Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stated that it was suspending relations with Niger and authorised the usage of pressure if Mr Bazoum was not reinstated inside per week.
In an announcement issued following the assembly, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated the UK “condemns in the strongest possible terms attempts to undermine democracy, peace and stability in Niger”.
The assertion continued: “The Communique agreed at the Fifty First Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, held by ECOWAS on 30 July sets out a strong and clear response to this infringement of the democratic rights of the people of Niger.
“We continue to stand by ECOWAS and their efforts to ensure a return to democracy in Niger.”
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell stated: “The UK wholly supports the immediate political and economic measures announced today by ECOWAS and will suspend long-term development assistance to Niger.
“We will however continue to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Niger.
“The UK is a committed partner of Niger’s democratically elected government and calls for President Bazoum to be immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order.”