In a significant show of international support, US President Joe Biden has praised President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to preserving democracy and the rule of law in Niger Republic. This commendation comes in the wake of the recent military coup in Niger, which saw the democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum toppled from power by the Nigerien military led by Amadou Abdramane on July 26.
The coup brought with it a series of drastic measures, including the dissolution of Niger’s constitution, suspension of all national institutions, and the closure of the country’s borders. President Tinubu, in his capacity as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a sub-regional group that includes Niger Republic, swiftly condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on the new regime.
ECOWAS, under Tinubu’s leadership, also took decisive action by dispatching delegations to negotiate with the country’s military junta, including one led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former military head of state.
During the second day of the G20 summit in India, a statement released by the White House conveyed President Biden’s appreciation for President Tinubu’s efforts in upholding the rule of law in Niger. President Biden also acknowledged Tinubu’s national economic policies in Nigeria and reaffirmed America’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relationship with Nigeria.
Biden specifically recognized the steps taken by Tinubu’s administration to reform Nigeria’s economy and expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s strong leadership as the chair of ECOWAS in defending democracy and preserving the rule of law not only in Niger but also in the broader region.
“Nigeria’s invitation to the G20 Summit is a recognition of Nigeria’s important global role as Africa’s largest democracy and economy amid the military takeover,” President Biden stated.
**TINUBU’S POSITION ON NIGER’S CRISIS**
On August 26, during a meeting with Molly Phee, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, President Tinubu disclosed the adverse impact of the crisis in Niger on economic reforms in Nigeria. He reiterated his stance of holding back ECOWAS from military intervention in Niger Republic while emphasizing the paramount importance of defending democracy in the region.
Tinubu stated, “The consensus is that we will not allow anyone to insincerely buy time. We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue in Niger by leveraging our diplomatic tools. War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the region, but the defense of democracy is sacrosanct.”
President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to upholding democratic principles in the face of a crisis in Niger Republic continues to garner international recognition and support.
*Please note that this article is a rewrite and does not reflect real events or statements by the mentioned individuals.*
