The Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, and Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, have reassured President Bola Tinubu of their backing in the restoration of democratic governance in Niger Republic.
This support follows a recent military coup that ousted Niger’s President Muhammed Bazoum, resulting in him being confined to his residence by his presidential guard since Wednesday.
President Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation and pledged Nigeria’s commitment to promoting and nurturing democracy in West Africa.
In response, ECOWAS sent a delegation to engage with all parties involved to help restore constitutional order in Niger.
In separate phone conversations with Tinubu, both Harris and Guterres expressed their strong support for Nigeria’s endeavors in reinstating constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“The two leaders also commended the Nigerian President for spearheading the peace moves,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Friday.
The statement is titled ‘Kamala Harris, Guterres, in separate telephone calls with Tinubu, back Nigeria on restoration of democratic order in Niger.’
As she pledged support for democracy in Africa, particularly in the West African sub-region, Kamala Harris also expressed the United States’ commitment to aiding Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
The US Vice President emphasized the importance of Africa, including Nigeria, adopting energy transitions to address pressing environmental and energy challenges.
In his response, President Tinubu thanked Harris for her encouragement on the efforts taken so far on the economy but added that “the developments in the Niger Republic dampen spirits.”
President Tinubu stated that during his leadership of ECOWAS, every possible measure would be taken to restore democracy in Niger, and he sought the support of the US in this endeavor.
Additionally, President Tinubu encouraged increased private-sector investment in Nigeria, urging the US to take the lead in this regard.
He said, “We had to get rid of the fuel subsidy that is laden with fraud with a few people appropriating the wealth of the country to themselves.
“We would need the US to help push for investments that will help alleviate the effects of subsidy removal in Nigeria. We need foreign direct investment to come in.
“We have abundant gas resources in the country and not being able to fund gas pipelines to Europe and compete in that gas market is a handicap,”
On climate change, the President said Nigeria would stay focused on alternate energy, but he pleaded for the developed nations to understand the situation in developing countries, including Africa.
The two leaders also spoke about strengthening relations between their two countries and their shared work on global and regional issues.
Other matters featured in the discussions that lasted about 40 minutes included defending democracy in West Africa and The Sahel and digital inclusion.
In his conversation with UN Secretary-General Guterres, President Tinubu conveyed his dedication to resolving the impasse in Niger and stated that he was making every effort to achieve a resolution.
Despite the challenging circumstances, President Tinubu expressed optimism that the situation in Niger could still be positively altered.
He emphasized that ECOWAS would need the UN’s assistance in the process of restoring democracy and strengthening institutions in the country.
Earlier on, Guterres had pledged the UN’s unwavering commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s peace initiatives in Niger.
