Niger: Laurent Gbagbo breaks silence, says most ECOWAS leaders are constitutional coup plotters

The former Ivorian president told the media that he is disappointed with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, following the body’s decision to deploy military to restore constitutional rule after the July 26 coup.

Laurent Gbagbo said coups in Africa have become a daily reality, hence should not be treated as if it were something new.

“How many coups in Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea etc all these countries in ECOWAS how many coups- we live with coups because it’s part of political agenda,” Gbagbo said.

The man who was arrested after the 2010 post electoral violence and tried by ICC, reminded most ECOWAS members that they have also been having constitutional coups in their countries, “When they thr change constitution for a third mandate , it’s a coup, ohers have suspended their opposition parties but running to Niger to install Bazoum. It’s a lie game that’s why I am revolting…” he told an interviewee.
He also insisted that ECOWAS wants to steal natural resources in Niger, “I tell you, do not tell lies. When you tell people that you are going to Niger to reinstate Bazoum…It’s a uranium enrichment program, do not tell lies. Bazoum is not the first to be ousted. ECOWAS should instead have talks to free him but telling him that he will be reinstated, is a lie.”

While ECOWAS has set up a standby force, military leaders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have also set up a counter attack mechanism, waiting for any eventuality.