The United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, has spoken with President Tinubu on defending democracy in West African countries, among other issues affecting the continent.
Harris disclosed this in a statement through a Twitter post early hours of Friday, while stating that she and Tinubu discussed the ties between Nigeria and the US.
This development between the two leaders came after a coup in Nigeria’s neighbouring country, Niger Republic, where the President, Mohamed Bazoum was sacked from power.
Making this disclosure, Harris wrote: “Today, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria about the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and our shared work on global and regional issues.
“These issues are ranging from defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel to promoting digital inclusion and economic growth.”
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, has condemned the coup in the Niger Republic, noting that democracy has come to stay in Africa.
The Nigeria President vowed not to tolerate any actions against the West African country’s democratically-elected government.
Premium Politics reports that Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army.
Reports revealed that the disgruntled members of the guard sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices, and after talks broke down, they refused to release the president.
Tinubu in his reaction to Bazoum’s detention in a statement on Wednesday, said that the ECOWAS was closely monitoring the situation and developments in the country.
He stated that the ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.
He added that the ECOWAS leadership and “all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situations that incapacitate the country’s democratically-elected government.”
President Tinubu however stated that the commission will do everything within its powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well-rooted and thrives in its region.
“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism,” Tinubu stated.
He added that “Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”
