The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reacted to an attempted coup d’état in Niger.
Earlier on Wednesday, concerns were raised as members of the elite Presidential Guard reportedly blocked the access roads to the residence and offices of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.
Reports say that there was no special deployment of military or gunfire incidents at the reported spots, but Bazoum’s official home and offices in the presidential complex in Niamey were sealed off on Wednesday morning.
A source close to Bazoum said they could not confirm the reason for the development yet.
“It’s a fit of temper by the Presidential Guard, but talks are underway with the president,” AFP journalists reported.
“The president is fine. He’s safe and sound,” a presidential source who pleaded anonymity told journalists.
The source confirmed that the President and his family were at the residence.
Reacting to the coup attempt, the regional body condemned the act, saying the “coup plotters” should free Bazoum.
In a statement on its website on Wednesday, the regional body said, “ECOWAS has received the news of an attempted coup d’Etat in Niger with shock and consternation. ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically- elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition.
“ECOWAS and the international community will hold all those involved in the
plot responsible for the security and safety of the President, his family, members of the government, and the general public.”
Recall that Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021.