The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic will head to Niamey, the capital of Niger, to address a hostage situation involving President Mohamed Bazoum.
President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, revealed this after a meeting with the Benin President at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists, Tinubu condemned any attempt to seize power and undermine constitutional authority in Niger Republic, while reiterating his commitment to work with other ECOWAS leaders to promote stability and peace in the West African region.
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Talon visited the Villa around 4:43 pm, his second appearance in nine days, having visited on July 18 along with two other colleague-presidents, Niger’s Bazoum and Guinea-Bissau’s Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
The meeting was held in the wake of reports that Bazoum being held by disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard, who in turn were given an “ultimatum” by the army, according to a source close to the West African country’s leader.
ECOWAS promptly condemned the “attempted coup” and called on the “plotters” to release Bazoum immediately and without condition.
