German development minister Svenja Schulze on Tuesday said the Niger coup was “a setback that aggravates the complex development challenges in the country and in the Sahel.”
Svenja announced during a visit to West Africa calling for the immediate release of ousted President Bazoum Mohamed.
“We call for the immediate release of President Bazoum and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” Schulze said in a statement on behalf of the Sahel Alliance.
On 26 July 2023, the Presidential Guard in Niger launched a coup and detained President Bazoum and his family.
Senior officers from various branches of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) formed a junta, named the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), and announced the seizure of power on a televised broadcast.
Public response varied, with initial demonstrations in support of Bazoum being dispersed by mutinous soldiers, followed by subsequent demonstrations in support of the CNSP.
By July 27, the Nigerien Armed Forces joined the CNSP, citing their intent to avoid lethal confrontation and to safeguard the president and his family.
The coup has largely been condemned internationally, including key stakeholders like the United States, France, the European Union, and ECOWAS.
During a summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, ECOWAS considered military intervention and threatened sanctions to pressure the junta to reinstate Bazoum by giving a one-week ultimatum.
The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) imposed immediate sanctions and froze Nigerien state assets.
Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali have declared their support for the Nigerien junta and expressed their refusal to apply any sanctions imposed on Niger.
Leave a Reply