The Nigerian president was a key player elsewhere at the organization’s extraordinary summit on Sunday in Abuja, in the wake of Niger’s military takeover.
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With our correspondent in Abuja, Moses Gomis
For his first outing as president of ECOWAS, the Nigerian gave the impression of having always been part of the decorum. He delivered a concise and slow speech, but in a direct and hard-hitting style.
Supporter of a hard line to make the coup in Niger an example not to be repeated, Bola Tinubu methodically defended this position. He did not use diplomatic language to deliver the substance of his thought: ” It is essential to resolve the current situation in the Republic of Niger. It is a threat against our authority and that of a very dedicated member of our ECOWAS. »
Then Bola Ahmed Tinubu played the card of emotion and drama, not hesitating to disqualify the perpetrators of last Wednesday’s coup in Niamey. ” One of ours, His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum, is being held hostage. By his own army, his Presidential Guard. What a calamity! It is an assault on each one of us. »
Then, taking great care to look his fellow heads of state eye to eye, he declared: ” It is clear that without freedom, there can be no development and it is therefore by extension impossible to put an end to poverty. »
The speech achieved its objectives since its member countries of ECOWAS finally heavily sanctioned the overthrow of institutions in Niger. Without forcing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seems to have already taken the vocal leadership of ECOWAS.
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