From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President of Senegal, Macky Sall, has said his country stands by decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS), chaired by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria.
Responding to a question on why ECOWAS was taking strong action against Republic of Niger compared to other member states in similar position, he said: “If we had made mistakes in the past, we should try to correct it now. There is always a time to get started. I think it was a mistake not to have taken action previously, but now that we are together on this we should take action to make sure that it does not continue.”
Asked his country’s stance as regards the resolution taken, Sall said: “I support the action that has been proposed by ECOWAS that we do not accept this attempted coup d’tar to stand and that we will make every effort to make sure that constitutional order returns to Niger. “
ECOWAS countries that have witnessed coups are: Mali: In August 2020, the Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown in a military coup led by Colonel Assimi Goïta.
Guinea: On September 5, 2021, the President Alpha Condé was ousted by a military coup led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.
Burkina Faso: Although not a recent event, Burkina Faso faced a coup d’état in September 2015, resulting in the temporary removal of President Michel Kafando by the Presidential Guard.
The Gambia: In December 2014, former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh survived a coup attempt by dissident members of the Military.
Niger Republic has experienced several coups since its independence in 1960. There have been four successful military coups in Niger Republic’s history.
The first one occurred in 1974 led by Colonel Seyni Kountché, followed by two others in 1996 and 1999 led by Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara.
There was another one in 2010, led by Salou Djibo and the latest coup happened in July 26, 2023.