President of the United States Joe Biden has positively assessed the actions of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as the chairman of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) regarding the political situation in the coup-hit Niger at the G20 summit in New Delhi, the White House said on Sunday.
"President Joe Biden... thanked President Tinubu for his strong leadership as the chair of the Economic Community of West African States to defend and preserve democracy and the rule of law in Niger and the broader region," the White House said in a statement.
Biden met with Tinubu on the sidelines of the G20 summit to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the statement read.
"Nigeria’s invitation to the G20 Summit is a recognition of Nigeria’s important global role as Africa’s largest democracy and economy," the statement added.
India has been chairing the G20 since December 1, 2022. The top-level summit in New Delhi from Saturday to Sunday gathered the 20 member states as well as nine other nations, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Spain, Mauritius, Nigeria, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Singapore.
The coup in Niger took place on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. Following the coup, the ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened intervention if the rebels did not reinstate Bazoum.