Harris, Guterres laud Tinubu’s efforts against coup in Niger

United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, have commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts toward ending the coup d’etat in Niger Republic.

The two leaders, in a separate telephone conversations with Tinubu, also commended the president, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for spearheading the peace moves.

It would be recalled that some soldiers from the Presidential Guard on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, moved to depose President Mohamed Bazoum.

President Tinubu rejected the threat to democracy in Niger, sending a delegation to talk with all the parties with a view to restoring constitutional order in the West African country.

However, Harris, in her telephone conversation with Tinubu at the instance of the U.S. authorities, hailed the reform initiatives of the Federal Government, urging the country to continue in that direction.

While pledging to support democracy in Africa including the West African sub region, Harris also said the U.S. would assist Nigeria in the battle against terrorism.

According to a statement issued by Tinubu’s spokesman, Dele Alake, the U.S. Vice President spoke on the need for Africa, including Nigeria to embrace energy transitions.

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In his response, President Tinubu thanked Harris for the telephone call and her words of encouragement on the efforts taken so far on the economy, but added that “the developments in Niger Republic dampen spirits.”

He said ECOWAS under his watch would do all that is necessary to restore democracy in Niger, while counting on the support of the United States.

On Nigeria, President Tinubu craved for more private sector investment, urging the U.S. to lead the way in this regard.

On climate change, the President said Nigeria would stay focused on the alternate energy but he pleaded for the developed nations to understand the situation in developing countries including Africa.

Speaking with the UN Secretary-General, President Tinubu said he was doing everything possible to resolve the impasse in Niger.

While expressing the hope that the situation in Niger could still be reversed for better, he said ECOWAS would require UN’s support for restoring democracy and building institutions in that country.

Guterres, on his part, pledged the commitment of the UN for Tinubu’s peace efforts in Niger.

The Star