Coup: ECOWAS threatens to invade Niger if…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a stern warning that it may resort to military intervention in Niger Republic if all diplomatic efforts to reverse the recent coup fail. This announcement was made during a meeting of defense chiefs of member states held in Accra, Ghana. The meeting aims to devise a strategy for the potential intervention in Niger and to discuss the specifics of the standby force. The decision follows the activation of ECOWAS’s standing force at a recent summit.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, emphasized that the regional bloc is prepared to restore constitutional order in Niger by any means necessary. He pointed to past deployments in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other nations as evidence of ECOWAS’s readiness for military action.

Musah rejected accusations that ECOWAS is being manipulated by external powers, asserting that the organization operates based on its protocols and norms. He clarified that ECOWAS is willing to accept support from partners who share the goal of restoring democracy.

The current situation in Niger is tense, with the military junta resisting diplomatic efforts and continuing to detain ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Western countries, including France, have expressed concerns about the coup and its potential impact on regional stability.

While ECOWAS’s announcement signals its determination to address the crisis, it has also faced opposition from various quarters, including religious and political groups within and outside Niger.