President Jonathan Condemns coup in Niger

Feelers emerging from Niamey reveal that there has been a coup attempt, coupled with shooting around the Presidential Palace in Niamey, Republic of Niger. However the coup attempt has been condemned by the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS). Speaking through his spokesperson, The Acting President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who was recently elected Chairman of ECOWAS, expressed deep concern about the reports of shooting around the Presidency in Niamey, Republic of Niger”.

Continuing, Ima Niboro said, “The Chairman of ECOWAS, once again, condemns all acts of accession to power or remaining in power by unconstitutional means. He calls on all Nigerien stakeholders, including the Security Forces, to accept to resolve the constitutional crisis through dialogue and negotiations”.

“The Chairman of ECOWAS has reiterated the call of the February 16, 2010 Summit of ECOWAS Head of State and Government to continue to facilitate the mediation effort of Nigeria in close collaboration with African Union. To that effect, the Chairman of ECOWAS is in consultation with the Chairman, AU Mediation Committee, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, and General Abdusalami Abubakar, the ECOWAS mediator, with a view to the speedy resumption of the Inter-Nigerien Dialogue”.