Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of Nigerien President Mohammed Bazoum, who is being held by the army officers who announced a coup.
Guterres said in a press conference today, Thursday: “The United Nations strongly condemns the attack on the democratically elected government, and supports the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union with a view to restoring democracy.”
“We are witnessing a disturbing trend in the region,” he added, warning that successive unconstitutional changes of governments have horrific effects on the development and life of the civilian population.
He noted that this is clearly evident in countries already affected by conflict, violent extremism and terrorism, as well as the devastating effects of climate change.
The Secretary-General said that the United Nations stands in solidarity with the democratically elected government and the people of Niger, calling on the coup plotters to “stop obstructing the country’s democratic governance and respect the rule of law.”
For his part, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed his shock at the attempted military coup in Niger and condemned it in the strongest terms.
In a statement today, Türk stressed the need to make all efforts to restore constitutional order and the rule of law, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of President Mohammed Bazoum and ensuring his security.
He stressed the need to release arbitrarily detained members of his government and their relatives immediately and without preconditions, urging all actors to refrain from violence and respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all.
Türk said it is in the interest of all Nigerien people to preserve and preserve the important democratic gains made in recent years.
Early today, Thursday, the military announced, in a statement on national television, that President Mohammed Bazoum had been removed from power, hours after he was detained in the presidential palace, the borders closed, a curfew imposed, and the work of all institutions in the country suspended. / End
Source: National Iraqi News Agency