The Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa has underlined the UN's strong condemnation of the attempted coup in Niger, the global body said on Monday.

Léonardo Santos Simão was in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday to participate in the extraordinary summit on the crisis, organized by regional bloc ECOWAS.

"He will continue his consultations with all partners with a view to restoring constitutional order and consolidating democratic gains in Niger," said Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq, speaking in New York.

At the ECOWAS meeting, member states demanded the immediate release of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who was seized by some of his guards at his official residence on 26 July.

They threatened to "take all measures necessary", including use of force, if he is not reinstated in a week. The bloc's 15 member states have also suspended commercial and financial transactions with Niger and closed air and land borders with the country.

UN assistance continues

Mr. Simão is also head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). He condemned in the strongest possible terms the seizure of power by force and the undermining of democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger.

"The unconstitutional change of government in Niger has aggravated a degraded security situation in the Liptako Gourma area, and in the region in general," he said.

Mr. Simão also said that the UN team in Niger is continuing its assistance to vulnerable people in the country.

He reiterated the commitment of his office and the entire UN system to work closely with ECOWAS in support of the people of Niger.