Niger Coup: Tinubu Urges US Envoy to Prioritize Nigeria’s Economic Reforms Over War

In the midst of the tension surrounding the Niger Republic, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized that war is not conducive to Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms. Tinubu’s statement came after a meeting with the US Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee, as revealed by Aguri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

During the meeting, Tinubu urged the United States to strengthen democracy in the West African sub-region by collaborating with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He highlighted ECOWAS’ unwavering commitment to exploring all possible avenues to restore democracy in the Niger Republic.

Tinubu expressed, “We are actively employing diplomatic tools to peacefully address the situation in Niger. While we remain open to all options, ECOWAS is determined to exhaust all other available solutions before considering war. The preservation of democracy is of paramount importance. Although war would hinder our economic reforms and destabilize the region, we will not allow insincere attempts to prolong the crisis.”

On July 26, a military junta abruptly halted the democratic process in Niger.