The millitary government of Niger Republic has cut off ties with Nigeria after the efforts of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to resolve the ongoing impasse failed.
ECOWAS had issued a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum to avoid possible clash with the junta.
But President Bola Tinubu sent a high-powered delegation to the country to meet with the coup leaders, on Thursday.
The delegation led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) only met with representatives of the junta.
Subsequently, Niger severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, France, its coloniser, and the United States.
“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated,” Radio France International quoted one of the putschists to have said on national television.
On July 26, Niger’s ousted leader, Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, and that evening, the military announced that it had seized power.
Two days after toppling the government of Bazoum, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government.
Pressure continues to mount on the military junta from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democratic order to the country.
Beyond the West African region, members of the international community have also vehemently opposed the new military government in the country.
However, the junta, led by General Abdourahmane Tiani, has remained unperturbed, threatening a brutal response to any aggression against its territory.
