JUST IN: We are in full Support of ECOWAS Efforts to Restore Democracy in Niger – France

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna has said that France strongly supports the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in Niger following the recent coup d’état.

TrackNews Media reports that the minister made the declaration when she visited Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, prime minister of the Niger Republic, at Quai d’Orsay, France, on Saturday.

The French minister was accompanied by Aichatou Boulama, France’s ambassador to Niger.

Colonna said France “firmly supports ECOWAS’s efforts to defeat this coup attempt”.

“ECOWAS gave the putschists a seven-day deadline to end their coup. It expires tomorrow, Sunday, August 6,” said Colonna.

“France solemnly calls on those responsible for this coup attempt to release President Bazoum and all members of his government, and to allow the immediate return to constitutional and democratic order.”

The coup in Niger took place on July 25, when a group of soldiers led by former head of President Mohamed Bazoum’s presidential guard Abdourahmane Tiani overthrew the government and declared Tiani the new head of state.

ECOWAS has condemned the coup and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. The bloc has threatened military intervention in Niger if the coup leaders do not step down.