MONROVIA: The Government of Liberia (GOL), says it has received with utter displeasure reports of attempts by elements of the military of the Republic of Niger to oust the constitutional and democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
According to the Government of Liberia statement, “This sad incident is reported to have begun Wednesday, July 26, when Liberia, one of Africa’s growing democracies, was commemorating its 176th Independence Anniversary, signaling to the rest of the continent the benefits of democratic governance, rule of law and peace.”
The statement added that “The Government of Liberia condemns in no uncertain terms this unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional action being perpetrated by elements of the armed forces of Niger and sees it as an affront to the democratic will of the peaceful people of Niger who chose their leaders in a democratic process.”
“The Government of the Republic of Liberia calls for the immediate withdrawal from the Presidency, the military forces that have cordoned off the presidency and the unconditional release of President Bazoum and his family.
Liberia fully aligns itself with the position of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and all friendly democratic governments condemning the event in Niger, the statement added.
The Liberia Government has made it unequivocally clear that it stands opposed to any act of unconstitutional means of ascendency to power, while reiterating its zero tolerance to any and all forms of unconstitutional and undemocratic means of ascending to power, concluded the statement, signed by Ledgerhood Rennie, Liberia’s Minister of Information.
Following the Wednesday military takeover in Niger, mutinous soldiers who staged the coup have declared their leader as the new Head of State on Friday, July 29, 2023, hours after General Abdourahmane Tchiani asked for national and international support despite rising concerns that the political crisis could hinder the nation’s fight against Jihadists and boost Russia’s influence in West Africa.
There are unconfirmed reports that the former leader of Wagner Mercenaries has welcomed the latest military takeover in Niger.
Niger is a firmed supporter of the United States, France and other Westerns countries in their fight against jihadist activities in sub-Saharan Africa.
There have been five military takeover since 2020 including in Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, and now Niger.
