US President, Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden on Thursday called for the immediate release of Niger’s dethroned President, Mohamed Bazoum.
The President in a statement said the restoration of the elected leader is necessary for the sustenance the country’s hard-earned democracy.
“I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” Biden said in a statement Thursday, the 63rd anniversary of Niger’s independence.
“In this critical moment, the United States stands with the people of Niger to honor our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance,” he said.
Bazoum government was toppled a week ago in a coup plotted by his own guard which was largely condemned by the United States, European nations and the United Nations.
“The Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders. They have expressed their will through free and fair elections and that must be respected.”, Biden said.
Bazoum came to power in 2021 following his victory in elections which marked Niger’s first peaceful transition of power.
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS had equally on Sunday issued a seven-day ultimatum for the coup leaders to restore Bazoum or face a possible military intervention as "last resort"
The sahel country had witnessed four previous military coups since independence from France in 1960.
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