South African Broadcasting Co-operation (SABC) has given the reason the statement of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu who doubles as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was disregarded by Niger coup plotters.
An attempted coup in Niger, where the presidential palace was blocked by soldiers.
Tinubu while reacting to the unfolding “mutiny” scenario said the body will not tolerate acts that undermine democracy in the region.
He stressed that the international community will hold all those involved in the plot responsible for the security and safety of the president, his family, members of the government and the general public.
Speaking about the role of the African commander in the ongoing coup happening in Niger, SABC International political editor Sophie Mokoena said that even though the Nigerian president issued a strong statement, it is not perceived strongly because of the credibility of the president.
Mokoena stressed that the regional body lacked the credibility it once had due to the chairman heading the body.
She said: “It is quite unstable right now, unfortunately, the chair being the president of Nigeria. You know, he’s also facing a lot of pressure in his country because of how the elections panned out. He issued a strong statement yesterday and people are already saying, you are not legitimate and therefore, ECOWAS is not the strong body that we are used to.”
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