APA-Windhoek (Namibia) Southern African countries have added their voices in condemning this week’s coup d’état in Niger, describing it as an affront to democracy and threat to Africa’s aspiration for a better continent.
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is being held in the presidential palace following a coup by a group of soldiers who declared on state television on Wednesday evening that they had “decided to put an end to the regime you know.”
Namibia, which chairs security troika of the Southern African Development Community, called for the “immediate and unconditional return of the soldiers to their barracks.”
“Namibia remains resolute in its stance on zero tolerance on acceding to power through unconstitutional means,” said Penda Naanda, director general of Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in a statement on Friday.
He said all progressive Africans should join in the voice in unanimous condemnation of the coup.
South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation called on “the military establishment to ensure the safety of President Mohamed Bazoum.”
“The government further calls for the return of the military forces to their barracks and to ensure the speedy restoration of the democratic order in Niger,” the ministry said.
It added: “The South African government strongly rejects unlawful seizure of power by any group or individual as this reverses democratic gains and development and threatens the realisation of Africa’s aspiration for a better Africa.”
According to the ministry, South Africa fully supports the positions of the African Union, Economic Community of West African States and the United Nations in their calls for a return to constitutional rule in Niger.
The coup leaders have suspended all state institutions, introduced a curfew from 10p.m. (2100 GMT) to 5 a.m. and closed all land and air borders until further notice.
JN/APA