Niger coup denounced by International bodies

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)deplores the military intervention in the landlocked west African nation of Niger.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stated on Friday that he has been closely following the political crisis in Niger to which the OIC has contributid a peaceful, negotiated resolution. He regretted the intervention of the military at a time when the international community as a whole is engaged in finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The OIC Secretary General called on the new military authority in the Republic of Niger to work seriously toward an assured political transition leading to a credible, free and fair election. He appealed to the people of Niger for calm and restraint in order to avoid any act that may endanger peace, stability and unity of the country.

A junta that seized power in the coup in the Republic of Niger named a platoon commander as its leader Friday. The junta, which calls itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, declared it was being led by Salou Djibo.

Armed soldiers on Friday stormed the presidential palace in the capital Niamey in a hail of gunfire during broad daylight and kidnapped the country’s leader, President Mamadou Tandja. He is said to be detained in a military camp.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday voiced strong condemnation of a coup that toppled Niger’s president and put an end to Mamadou Tandja’s rule. “The Secretary General condemns the coup d’etat that took place in Niger” and “appeals for calm and for the respect of the rule of law and of the human rights of all Nigerians,” his office said in a statement.

Washington on Friday called for a “speedy return to democracy” in Niger, including transparent elections after a coup in the western African nation.

“The United States continues to call (for) Niger’s speedy return to democracy and the rule of law, as well as prompt, fair and transparent elections,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.

Crowley said that the United States was “gratified” by the strong international reaction to the coup, including a “strong statement” by the European Union.

“We will obviously work closely with our international partners and do everything we can to see democracy returned to Niger as rapidly as possible,” he said.

The African Union, meanwhile, suspended Niger on Friday, a day after a deadly coup in the uranium-rich country. “As of today, Niger will not be represented in our activities,” said Mull Sebujja Katende, who presides over the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.

“We have condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on Niger: Niger is suspended from all activities of the AU,” he said.