African Union supports ECOWAS in decisions concerning Niger

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed his support Friday for decisions taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the unconstitutional change in Niger.    

In a press release, Mahamat expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions of President Mohamed Bazoum’s detention, several sources confirmed.

“The president of the Commission questions the military authorities on the urgency of curbing the escalation with the regional body, the mistrust towards it, and the continuation of the president’s abduction in conditions that are worryingly deteriorating,” the text stated.

It described the treatment given to a democratically elected head of State through a regular electoral process as unacceptable.

He called for the immediate release of Bazoum, all members of his family, and his government, who were kidnapped illegally in defiance of Niger’s laws and all founding principles of the AU and ECOWAS.

Finally, Mahamat called on the international community to unite efforts to save the Nigerian leader’s life and moral and physical integrity.

On Thursday, ECOWAS Chairman Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for a diplomatic solution to the political crisis in Niger following a recent coup d’Etat.