ECOWAS orders deployment of its reserve forces
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed to the "immediate activation" of their standby forces in Niger in order to reinstate constitutional order in the country following the coup d'état more than a fortnight ago against elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The African body took this decision at an extraordinary summit in Abuja after the ultimatum against the coup leaders expired on Sunday. ECOWAS, in addition to imposing sanctions against Niamey, threatened to use force if power was not returned to Bazoum, a request ignored by the new military junta, which has even announced a new cabinet.
However, despite the delicate situation, West African leaders have assured to "keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis", stressing that they prefer a diplomatic solution to sending troops to the Sahelian nation.
In this regard, the chairman of the commission, Omar Alieu Touray, warned of the consequences for "member states that by their direct or indirect action hinder the peaceful resolution of the crisis". Several countries, led by military coup leaders, such as Mali and Burkina Faso have expressed their support for the new Nigerian leadership, while condemning ECOWAS sanctions and threats. These two countries have even stressed that they will consider any action against Niger as a declaration of war. Guinea has also positioned itself against intervention, supporting Niger's coup plotters.
On the other hand, other members of the organisation, such as Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, have taken a position in favour of intervention in order to restore order in the country and protect the stability of the region. The latter is, in fact, the argument on which ECOWAS bases its approval of an intervention in Niger. According to the organisation, an authoritarian drift in the Sahelian nation, as well as the expansion of the Russian Wagner group - present in several states in the region - would have negative repercussions throughout the region.
"We cannot allow this to continue, we have to act," said Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, as quoted by CNN. The US media also reports that Niger's authorities appear to be preparing for a possible military intervention, as a military source revealed that troops are being moved from other parts of the country to the capital.
Niger's coup plotters threaten to assassinate Bazoum
Shortly before West African leaders met in the Nigerian capital, Niger's new military leaders defied the region and the international community by announcing a new cabinet, thus ignoring calls to return power to Bazoum, who was retained in the country after the uprising.
Following the summit and ECOWAS action, Nigeria's military junta has again defied its neighbours, threatening to assassinate President Bazoum should they attempt an armed intervention, a senior diplomat told AP.
This threat has been confirmed by at least three diplomatic sources, one of whom - a member of a Western military force - explained that the Nigerian coup plotters raised this scenario with US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who visited the country earlier this week with the aim of achieving a peaceful solution.
EU to support ECOWAS actions
The international community has been following developments in Niger closely because of its geostrategic importance and resources - the African country is one of the world's leading uranium producers - as well as the ECOWAS summits. After announcing the deployment of the reserve forces, the European Union assured that it will "firmly and decisively" support the measures decided by the African body, including the increase of sanctions against the country, which mainly affects the civilian population.
According to the United Nations, some neighbourhoods of Niamey currently have little access to electricity, as Niger, which exports 90% of its energy to Niger, has cut off part of the supply due to the sanctions imposed.