President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attempted coup in Niger Republic, saying any illegal effort to depose a democratically elected government is not only despicable, but also unacceptable to democratic governments around the world.
Speaking in a telephone conversation with Mahamadou Issoufou, his counterpart and outgoing President on the situation in Niger Republic, Buhari warned that “the international community is hostile to the change of government by violent and unconstitutional means.”
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“It is utterly naive to attempt the removal of an elected government by force.
“Military political adventurers should respect the will of the people and respect constitutional order.
“I’m particularly concerned about the negative impact of coups on African stability, peace and progress.
“Nigeria cannot be indifferent to these dangers to Africa. Coups are out of fashion and the involvement of the military in violent change of government is doing more harm than good to Africa”, the President said.
The Nigerian leader urged African leaders to “remain united against coups under whatever guise or form,” warning coup plotters to learn lesson from history on the consequences of instability caused by violent takeover of governments.
Buhari also used the occasion to congratulate the President-elect Mohamed Bazoum on his election victory and the outgoing President’s commitment to orderly and peaceful transfer of power.
The Nigerian leader also applauded the Niger’s security forces for suppressing the onslaught against the democratically elected Government of the people of Niger Republic.
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An attempted coup in Niger on Wednesday was aborted, with many soldiers arrested, according to sources.
The putsch staged by a military unit comes just two days before the country’s first ever peaceful transition of power.
President-elect Mohamed Bazoum is due to be sworn in on Friday — taking over from President Mahamadou Issoufou.
Residents of Niamey, the capital said there was “intense shooting, with heavy and light weapons,” from 3 a.m. local time.
The shooting around the presidential palace lasted about 30 minutes.
In videos posted on social media, the sound of short bursts of gunfire could be heard in the darkness