Former Prime Minister and ex-President of the National Assembly of Niger, Hama Amadou, has commented on the coup d’état that occurred on the night of Wednesday, August 26, 2023, against Mohamed Bazoum. This is the very first time that the exiled opposition leader has spoken about the crisis shaking his country for more than two weeks.
Former Prime Minister Hama Amadou does not view the military intervention contemplated by ECOWAS favorably in order to restore constitutional order. According to the former parliamentarian, this option being considered does not respect the non-aggression protocol that ECOWAS itself initiated and to which all member countries have adhered.
“I think ECOWAS is acting on emotion,” Hama Amadou stated regarding the use of force being discussed. According to him, this option proposed by ECOWAS displays “contempt for the Nigerien people and its army.”
The former Prime Minister believes that ECOWAS would not have acted with such eagerness if the coup had occurred in another country like Nigeria.
In his remarks, he found it logical for the coup leaders to have promised a response if ECOWAS sends troops to their territory. Hama Amadou also praised the solidarity shown by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, which quickly sided with the Nigerien people.
