On an undisclosed date, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to consider military action in Niger.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, made the announcement at the conclusion of the West African army chiefs’ meeting in Accra on Friday, August 18, where they were planning a potential armed intervention to overthrow the coup in Niger if diplomatic efforts fail.
We’ve already decided and adjusted what will be needed for the intervention, he continued.
“I tell you we are ready to go whenever the order is given.
All ECOWAS member states present here today have all committed elements, their own equipment, and their own resources to undertake this mission. “.
With the exception of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, as well as Cape Verde, all 15 of the bloc’s member states, according to the bloc, are ready to contribute to the joint force.
Musah added, “The D-day has also been decided.”.
He said that while “all options are on the table,” including sanctions and mediation, ECOWAS will not engage in an “endless dialogue” and insists on restoring constitutional order in Niger.
“We want to return to constitutional normalcy, and we have decided that the coup in Niger is one coup too many for the region. We are putting a stop to it at this time, and we are drawing the line in the sand. “.
The UN has also urged the military authorities in Niger to swiftly reestablish constitutional order.
Ravina Shamdasani, the spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement: “The people have already endured so much hardship over the years; now, the very people they elected to create a pathway to end their destitution have been removed by force against the constitutional order and detained by the coup leaders. Immediately, they must be freed, and democracy must be reinstated. “.
On July 30, ECOWAS gave the military authorities in Niger a week to reinstall Bazoum or face the threat of force; however, the week went by with no action.
