The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr Omar Touray, has said that the situation in the Republic of Niger is of concern to the bloc.

Touray said this when he visited the ECOWAS Parliament to deliver the Community State Report for 2023 in Abuja on Friday.

He said ECOWAS Heads of State are against the unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Niger.

Touray said that ECOWAS would ensure that the protocol’s provisions are implemented.

“Niger remains a member of the ECOWAS Community, and anything that affects the people of Niger is of concern to ECOWAS and to ECOWAS leaders.

“So, whatever measure that has been taken by ECOWAS that is affecting the population in Niger affects us as well,’’ he said.

Touray said that the ECOWAS single currency has been a significant objective of the community, noting that it required political will as well as certain economic fundamentals.

“Inflation is one of them and we need to work on inflation and we need to work with the public debt to be able to make some of those conversion criteria.

“That is required for a single currency. Now, inflation is a global reality and I think all the ministers of the finance of the community will tell you that inflation is a significant concern.

“Am sure all the financial authorities are concerned about it and they are doing something about it, but it is a reality that is not unique to our region.

“If you travel around you will realise that inflation is certainly a problem in the ECOWAS region and elsewhere,’’ he said.