Nigeria sends message to Guinean coup plotters

Following the report of a putsch in Republic of Guinea on September 5, President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted through his minister of foreign affairs.

In a statement issued by Esther Sunsuwa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria condemned the move by the military.

“The Nigerian government is saddened by the apparent coup d’etat that has taken place in the Republic of Guinea today, in clear violation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” the statement read.

“The Government of Nigeria strongly condemns and rejects any unconstitutional change of government and therefore calls on those behind the coup to restore constitutional order without delay and protect lives and property.”

An earlier report by AFP indicated that soldiers took over the country by suspending the current constitution and reportedly detaining President Alpha Conde..

Coup de tats have been gaining popularity across Africa lately, starting from Mali and spreading to some of the politically volatile nations on the continent.

Nigeria, with the message, is trying to assert its regional weight, though it has its own insecurity challenge, too.