The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has denounced the coup d’état in Niger.

In the statement released on Wednesday, July 26, the Commission directed the perpetrators to release the “democratically elected President” without delay or conditions.

The commission also warned those involved in the coup that they would be held accountable both by the international community and ECOWAS for the safety and security of the citizens and the President.

On Wednesday, Niger’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, was held hostage all day by presidential guards inside the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey.

The presidency and security sources also said that ministries next to the palace were also blocked off, and staff inside the palace had been unable to access their offices.

In the late hours of Wednesday, a group of soldiers announced on national television that the president had been removed from power.

They also stated that they were staging a coup and had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions, and closed the West African country’s borders.