Niger: AU supports ECOWAS, urges release of detained president

In a resolute display of solidarity, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has thrown his weight behind the recent decisions made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pertaining to the issue of anti-constitutional change in Niger.

This was contained in a released by the AU on Friday.

“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, expresses his strong support for the decisions adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on anti-constitutional change in Niger.

“The Chairperson expresses his deep concern at the reported poor conditions of detention of President Mohamed Bazoum.

“Indeed, concordant sources attest to a worrying deterioration of such conditions,” the communiqué read.

Calling for swift action, the Chairperson urged the military authorities to “urgently halt the escalation of relations with the regional organization ECOWAS, including the cessation of the continued sequestration of President Bazoum in worryingly poor conditions.”

Highlighting the fundamental principles at stake, Chairperson Mahamat declared, “Such treatment of a democratically elected president through a regular electoral process is unacceptable.”

Also calling for the immediate release of the president and his family the AU chairperson said, “Their detention flies in the face of Nigerien law and the founding principles of the AU and ECOWAS.”

It added, “The Chairperson calls on the entire international community to unite efforts to save the moral and physical integrity of President Mohamed Bazoum.”