As deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum’s detention enters the third week, the United States, US, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Bloc, on their stance in reinstating the constitutional order in the Sahelian country.
A statement issued by a U.S Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, on Monday night, said Blinken spoke with Tinubu and ECOWAS leaders on how to restore constitutional order and the release of Bazoum and his family.
The statement reads, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The Secretary commended President Tinubu’s leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Second Extraordinary Summit on the situation in the Republic of Niger.
“He noted the importance of maintaining pressure on the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to restore constitutional order and to see President Mohamed Bazoum and his family released.”
However, the Niger’s military leadership in a TV broadcast on Sunday, said it will prosecute Bazoum for high treason.
This comes hours after a group of senior Islamic scholars said the country’s coup leaders are open to diplomacy to resolve their standoff with West Africa’s regional bloc.
