Tunisia responded firmly to the attempted coup d’état that took place in Niger on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
On Thursday, Tunisian authorities issued an official statement strongly condemning the attempted coup d’état that shook the Republic of Niger the day before. A group of Nigerien military personnel had announced on national television the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum, as well as the closure of borders and suspension of certain institutions, while imposing a curfew in the country.
While expressing concern over the dangerous developments in Niger, Tunisia called on all parties involved to respect the electoral legitimacy and preserve the political stability of the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the escalation of the situation could exacerbate the political, security, economic, and social crises in the region.
Tunisia’s solidarity with President Mohamed Bazoum was not limited to verbal declarations, as the country clearly expressed its support for the legitimate and democratically elected authority. The ministry called for the immediate release of the president and all detainees, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and restoring stability and security in the country.
The coup d’état took the world by surprise as Niger now joins the list of African countries that have experienced a presidential removal by military personnel, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. Mohamed Bazoum is the fifth president to be ousted by a military coup since Niger’s independence in 1960, raising concerns about the deterioration of the situation in the region.
