On Wednesday, visiting UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that his country supports the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broad sanctions against the Niger Republic’s military junta.
Last Wednesday, soldiers from the Presidential Guard illegally took power, detaining Niger’s democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.
President Bola Tinubu criticised the political crisis in the neighbouring country and assured that ECOWAS and the international community will do all possible to safeguard democracy and guarantee that democratic government remains firmly established in the sub-region.
ECOWAS urged the junta to reinstate Bazoum during an unprecedented session in the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Sunday, and vowed to levy a slew of harsh measures if the coupists did not comply.
Addressing state House Correspondents shortly after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in the Presidential Villa, the UK Foreign Secretary said his government welcomes the regional bloc’s efforts to restore democratic principles in West Africa.
Cleverly stated during a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, “We touched briefly on the situation in Niger.”
“I made the point that the UK very much welcomes ECOWAS and his decisive action, his strong commitment to democracy, and the unambiguous message that violence is not the means to bring political change in any circumstance, and that the commitment to democracy in Nigeria and the region is unwavering.”
“This strongly supports the United Kingdom’s position.” We want to see Niger’s peace and democracy restored. And, of course, we will continue to work with our strong regional allies and ECOWAS members, especially Nigeria, to bring stability, peace, and democracy to Niger.
“We want to see peace and democracy restored in Niger.” “Of course, we will continue to liaise with our strong friends in the region, membership in ECOWAS, of course, including Nigeria,” he said.
The UK Foreign Secretary emphasised his country’s commitment to working more closely with Nigeria on critical areas such as defence and trade and investment security.
“And we are committed to ensuring that the UK and Nigeria meet regularly and formally at the ministerial and senior official levels to ensure that the good strong foundation stone upon which the bilateral relationship is built is enhanced even further,” he said.
He praised Nigeria for being a long-standing strong partner to the UK, adding, “and I look forward to shepherding this relationship to even greater heights in the future.”
Cleverly, who is on a four-day African trip and will spend two days in Nigeria, is focusing on future-focused, mutually beneficial partnerships.
