Niger’s coup leaders have cut ties with Nigeria after the efforts of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to resolve the on-going crises failed.
ECOWAS had issued a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum to avoid possible clash with the junta.
President Bola Tinubu who is the current ECOWAS chairman, sent a high-powered delegation to the country to meet with the coup leaders, on Thursday.
The delegation led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), only met with representatives of the junta as the main coup leade,r Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, would not meet with the delegation.
Subsequently, Niger severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, France, its coloniser, and the United States.
“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated,” Radio France International quoted one of the putschists to have said on national television.
On July 26, the ousted leader of Niger Bazoum, was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, and that evening, the military announced that it had taken over power.
Few days after toppling the government of Bazoum, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government.
Meanwhile, the US has thrown its weight behind the ECOWAS led by the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu to reinstate Bazoum.
In a statement by the White House on Thursday, US President, Joe Biden called for the immediate release of Bazoum.
The American President said the release is paramount for defending fundamental democratic values, and standing up for constitutional order, justice, and the right of peaceful assembly, which are foundation to the partnership between Niger and the US.
