• US Vice President commends Nigeria’s President on reform initiatives
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
United States Vice President, Kamala Harris and United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have expressed strong support for the efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) towards the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
According to a statement by the president’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, the two leaders, who spoke with President Bola Tinubu in separate telephone conversations on Thursday evening in Abuja, also commended the Nigerian President, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for spearheading the peace moves.
On Wednesday July 26, some soldiers from the Presidential Guard had moved to depose President Mohamed Bazoum.
President Tinubu had while quickly rejecting the threat to democracy in that country, sent a strong delegation in the person of the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, to talk with all the parties with a view to restoring constitutional order in Niger.
In her telephone conversation with President Tinubu, at the instance of the US authorities, Harris praised 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.
She also spoke on the need for Africa, including Nigeria to embrace energy transitions.
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 US.
On Nigeria, President Tinubu craved more private sector investment, urging the US to lead the way in this regard.
“We had to get rid of the fuel subsidy that is laden with fraud with a few people appropriating the wealth of the country to themselves.
“We would need the US to help push for investments that will help alleviate the effects of subsidy removal in Nigeria. We need foreign direct investment to come in. Other matters that featured in the discussions that lasted about 40 minutes are defending democracy in West Africa and The Sahel, climate change, strengthening relations and digital inclusion.
Speaking with the UN Secretary- General Guterres, 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.