United Nations Headquarters in New York City. (Credit: Diplomatic Times)
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – The security situation in wider West Africa could worsen unless the political crisis in Niger is resolved, the top UN official for the region said on Tuesday. On July 28, the head of Niger’s presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, declared himself head of state after the military seized power in a coup. Leonardo Santos Simão of Mozambique, the UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, expressed condemnation of the military action against Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. In briefing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, he said:
“The unfolding crisis, if not addressed, will exacerbate the deteriorating security situation in the region. It will also negatively impact the development and lives of the population in a country where 4.3 million people need humanitarian assistance.”
-UN envoy Leonardo Santos Simão speaking from Accra, Ghana.
He also also underscored support for efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed at restoring constitutional order and consolidating democratic gains in the country. He added that “Niger and the region do not need coups d’état. Populations deserve to enjoy peace, democratic governance and prosperity.” The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened military action against Niger’s coup leaders if they fail to return the country’s ousted president to power. ECOWAS leaders met in an extraordinary summit Sunday and gave the putschists seven days to reinstate Niger’s elected leader, Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS also imposed multiple punitive measures, including closing land and air borders with Niger.
The UN envoy expressed hope that military action will not be necessary but stressed that this would solely be the decision of ECOWAS and not the UN.
“What we value and support is that all means to find a peaceful solution for the problem should be used but recognize also that ECOWAS has the right to take other measures if they feel fit,” he said.
