France says it strongly supports the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS to restore democracy in the Republic of Niger.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna made the declaration when she visited Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, Prime Minister of the Niger Republic, at Quai d’Orsay, France, on Saturday.
Colonna was accompanied by Aichatou Boulama, France’s ambassador to Niger.
She said France firmly supports ECOWAS’s efforts to defeat this coup attempt”.
“ECOWAS gave the putschists a seven-day deadline to end their coup. It expires tomorrow, Sunday, August 6,” said Colonna.
“France solemnly calls on those responsible for this coup attempt to release President Bazoum and all members of his government, and to allow the immediate return to constitutional and democratic order.”
On July 25, a group of soldiers led by former Head of President Mohamed Bazoum’s Presidential guards, Abdourahmane Tiani held the president hostage and later overthrew the government .
ECOWAS immediately condemned the coup and sent a high – powered delegation to Niamey, the Nigerien capital for talks aimed at restoration of constitutional order.
After unsuccessful attempts aimed at urging the military Junta to step down their actions and go in the direction of peaceful restoration of democratic order , the block doled out sanctions which included a military action on Niger.
