Alassane Ouattara, the president of Côte d’Ivoire, has referred to the Republic of Niger’s coup plotters as terrorists.
The 81-year-old Ivorian president announced this at the 2nd ECOWAS extraordinary summit on Thursday, August 10, in Abuja, Nigeria, according to Daily Trust.
Speaking about the declaration of the standby forces sent to Niger, Ouattara said it took a group decision to assist put an end to military rule in the country.
He noted that all of the ECOWAS members are fully behind Nigeria in its struggle against military rule in the Niger, saying that Nigeria is not fighting this battle alone.
The president of Ivory Coast emphasized that every avenue for communication with the military commanders of Niger had been explored.
He said:
“ECOWAS cannot accept this. This is not a matter of Nigeria against Niger. Not at all,” he said.
“The decision that we have made — and I hope that it will be implemented immediately — is a decision of ECOWAS.”
“I personally consider this as a terrorist act and we cannot let this continue. We have to act.”
He said Cote d’Ivoire’s position is solidified and would not condone or support military rule in any of the member states of ECOWAS.
The 81-year-old said the military juntas in Niger ought to be in their military base and not interfering with governance.
He added:
“The decision of Cote d’Ivoire, which has been endorsed by all of the Heads of State and that we have been able to tell these putschists, is that their place is in the barracks.”