Together with ECOWAS

African Union assesses the situation in Niger after the coup d'état

REUTERS/TISSA NEGERI - Unión Africana — REUTERS/TISSA NEGERI - African Union

14/08/23

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) and a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have met in Ethiopia to discuss the situation in Niger following the coup d'état of 26 July.

"The Peace and Security Council is meeting to receive an update on the assessment of the situation in Niger and efforts to address it," the AU body announced on its social networking account X (formerly Twitter).

Partidarios ondean banderas de Níger mientras se reúnen en apoyo de la junta de Níger frente a la Asamblea Nacional en Niamey el 30 de julio de 2023
PHOTO/AFP — **PHOTO/AFP -** Supporters wave Niger flags as they rally in support of Niger's junta in front of the National Assembly in Niamey on July 30, 2023

This is the second meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on the Niger crisis after the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), as the coup junta calls itself, announced the ouster of Niger's president, Mohammed Bazoum, and the suspension of the constitution.

The PSC is an AU body founded in 2018 to prevent, resolve and manage conflicts on the continent, promoting peace, good governance, democracy and human rights, according to its mandate.

The meeting comes after ECOWAS heads of state and government ordered last Thursday to "activate" the regional bloc's "standby force" for a possible military intervention aimed at "restoring constitutional order" in Niger, while also assuring to remain committed to dialogue.

Las fuerzas de seguridad de Níger se preparan para dispersar a los manifestantes pro-junta reunidos frente a la embajada francesa, en Niamey, la capital de Níger, el 30 de julio de 2023
REUTERS/SOULEYMANE AG ANARA — **REUTERS/SOULEYMANE AG ANARA -** Niger's security forces prepare to disperse pro-junta protesters gathered outside the French Embassy in Niamey, Niger's capital Niger July 30, 2023

So far, the military junta has ignored the threats and, in addition to appointing a new prime minister, forming a transitional government, reinforcing its military apparatus and closing airspace, has warned that the use of force will be met with an "instantaneous" and "energetic" response.

Possible military action has divided the region, with the governments of Nigeria, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal clearly confirming the readiness of their armies to intervene in Nigerian territory.

PHOTO/AFP PHOTO/ORTN-TÉLÉ SAHEL - Esta imagen de vídeo obtenida por AFP de ORTN - Télé Sahel el 9 de agosto de 2023 muestra al coronel mayor Amadou Abdramane, miembro del CNSP leyendo una declaración en la televisión nacional — **PHOTO/AFP PHOTO/ORTN-TÉLÉ SAHEL -** This video image obtained by AFP from ORTN - Télé Sahel on 9 August 2023 shows Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, a member of the CNSP reading a statement on national television

In contrast, Mali and Burkina Faso, neighbouring countries governed by military juntas, oppose the use of force and argue that any intervention in Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against them as well.

Niger has become the fourth West African country to be led by a military junta, after Mali, Guinea-Conakry and Burkina Faso, which also had coups between 2020 and 2022.

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