Iran Press/ Africa: Benin President Patrice Talon met with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Chairman of ECOWAS - before arriving in Niger- to discuss the situation in Niger, Politics Nigeria reported.
Niger guards have continued to hold President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in Niamey, the country’s capital.
“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa,” Tinubu, ECOWAS chairman said in a statement earlier in the day.
He said that ECOWAS is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and will do everything within its power to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, and thrives in the region.
That statement followed reports that presidential guards had cut access to the palace and blocked Bazoum inside, raising concern West Africa's seventh coup since 2020 could be underway.
The national army was ready to attack the guards if they did not come to their senses, the presidency said in a statement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned any effort to seize power by force in Niger and called on all actors to exercise restraint.
The US, France, and the EU also condemned the power grab.
A military takeover in the former French colony could further complicate fighting against insurgent groups in the Sahel region that has spread from Mali over the past decade.
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