Spain has pledged support to the Economic Community of West African States to protect democracy in member states.
Some military officers led by Gen. Tchiani Abdourahmane, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023 leading to a flurry of sanctions imposed on Niger by ECOWAS to compel them to restore the ousted president to power.On August 10, ECOWAS directed the deployment of the sub-regional Standby Force. However, it is yet to invade Niger Republic despite all attempts to dialogue failed.Also, the takeover in Gabon on August 30, 2023 follows coups in Guinea, Chad and Niger, plus two each in Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020, worrying international powers with strategic interests at stake.
Spain ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell, who spoke at the National Day of Spain in Abuja on Thursday said “When addressing the UN General Assembly, President Tinubu, with full legitimacy, also spoke on behalf of Africa, since what Nigeria does and does not has a direct impact in the continent and in Western Africa in particular, and this entails, as the President also underscored the responsibility of leading by example.
“And as we speak of the region, I take this opportunity to express our full support and that of the EU to ECOWAS in their determination to protect democracy in member states and deepen regional integration.”
Sell also pledged support to Nigeria during its tough moments.
He said “As Nigeria embarks on a new stage, difficult but badly needed decisions are taken, reforms are announced and changes implemented, and we are aware that that comes with challenges for the population, but Nigeria is a resourceful country, and so is its people, and we are sure that you will get it done.
“We want to be partners in that process of renewal, and “we don’t walk alone”, since we are part of Team Europe in Nigeria.”