U.S., UN back Nigeria on democratic restoration in Niger

<p>U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres have backed Nigeria’s efforts toward the restoration of constitutional order in Niger Republic.</p>, <p>This is contained in a statement by Dele Alake, presidential spokesman.</p>, <p>The presidency said that the support was made in separate telephone conversations with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja.</p>, <p>The two leaders also commended the Nigerian President, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for spearheading the peace moves.</p>, <p>On Wednesday some soldiers from the Presidential Guard had moved to depose President Mohamed Bazoum.</p>, <p>Tinubu had quickly rejected the threat to democracy and sent a strong delegation to talk with all the parties on restoring constitutional order in the country.</p>, <p>In her conversation with Tinubu, Harris praised the reform initiatives of Nigeria, urging the country to continue in that direction.</p>, <p>While pledging to support democracy in Africa, including the West African sub-region, Harris said that the U.S. would assist Nigeria in the battle against terrorism.</p>, <p>The US Vice President also spoke on the need for Africa, including Nigeria, to embrace energy transitions.</p>, <p>In his response, Tinubu thanked Harris for the call and her words of encouragement on the efforts taken so far on the economy, but added that “the developments in Niger Republic dampen spirits.”</p>, <p>He said ECOWAS under his watch would do all that is necessary to restore democracy in Niger, while counting on the support of the US.</p>, <p>On Nigeria, Tinubu craved for more private sector investment, urging the US to lead the way in this regard.</p>, <p>“We had to get rid of the fuel subsidy that is laden with fraud with a few people appropriating the wealth of the country to themselves.</p>, <p>“We would need the U.S. to help push for investments that will help alleviate the effects of subsidy removal in Nigeria. We need foreign direct invest