Niger’s Chief of Staff arrives in Ghana
The Chief of Staff of the deposed President of Niger, Djibo Takoubokoye Daouda, has reportedly arrived in Ghana.
His visit comes at a time when the President of Niger, Mohammed Bazoum, has been taken hostage by the army in a coup.
Niger’s military junta, which took control of the country, has announced the composition of a new government. The junta stated that 21 individuals, including two ministers of state and a delegate minister, will be part of the new cabinet. The announcement was made on state TV.
In response to the political upheaval in Niger, West African army chiefs have gathered in Accra, Ghana, for a crucial meeting aimed at restoring constitutional democracy in the country. The meeting, which started on Thursday, August 17, and is expected to conclude on Friday, August 18, was convened following the decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to activate a standby force to address the crisis in Niger.
Initially, ECOWAS had given the military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani a seven-day ultimatum to reinstate President Bazoum. However, when the ultimatum expired without compliance, ECOWAS explored other options, including the possibility of intervention by a standby force.
During the ongoing meeting, Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, urged the army chiefs to remain loyal to their respective heads of state and to ECOWAS. He stressed the importance of restoring democracy and sending a strong message that the days of coup makers enjoying popular support are over.
Nitiwul also emphasized the potential consequences of presidential guards in Guinea and Niger taking their leaders hostage, highlighting the risk to regional stability and urging the army chiefs to act in accordance with the principles of democracy and ECOWAS directives.
The situation in Niger remains complex, and regional efforts are focused on finding a solution that can restore stability and democratic governance to the country.
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