The President of Guinea-Bissau, Omar Sissoko Empalo, considered that the coup in Niger constitutes an existential threat to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on the eve of a summit – held by the regional bloc in Nigeria – to discuss the crisis in the Sahel region.
Before heading to Abuja on Wednesday to attend today’s ECOWAS meeting, Embalo said that ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum is the only legitimate leader of that country.
“The only president we recognize is Bazoum, he is the person chosen by the people,” said Embalo.
“If you do not want a government or a president, punish them through the ballot box… Coups must be banned,” he added.
Bazoum was overthrown in July after his bodyguards arrested him at the presidential residence.
Embalo said that the future of ECOWAS countries may be in doubt, in the wake of coups in 3 other member states of this regional bloc.
“The situation that ECOWAS is going through is really worrying, as this organization was until now the safest and strongest on the entire continent,” he added. “Today we risk making it disappear.”
But the Guinea-Bissau president said he did not think it would come to that.
Use of force
During a summit held on July 30, ECOWAS threatened the possibility of using military force in Niger if the coup leaders did not return power to Bazoum within a week, but the deadline expired without any change.
Embalo pointed out that if ECOWAS chooses to intervene militarily in Niger, the National Defense Council of Guinea-Bissau will decide whether the country will contribute soldiers to this force or not.
“If the decision is taken at this level, then the president can issue a decree without going through parliament,” he said.
It is noteworthy that Guinea-Bissau itself has witnessed many coups and coup attempts since its independence from Portugal in 1974. The last attempt took place in February 2022.
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2023-08-10 07:39:41
