Title: Nigerian President: West African Leaders Closely Monitoring Situation in Niger

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed on Wednesday that West African leaders are closely monitoring the situation in Niger and will do everything in their power to protect democracy there, after soldiers besieged the presidential palace. Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stated, "ECOWAS leadership will not accept any actions that obstruct the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa." Meanwhile, African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemned the situation, calling it an apparent coup attempt in Niger, and urged the "treasonous" soldiers involved to stop immediately.