The leaders of the armies of the “ECOWAS” countries agree on a plan for a “possible military intervention” in Niger
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced Friday that the chiefs of the armies of its member states had agreed on a plan for a “possible military intervention” in Niger, after the military council there refused to restore civilian rule in the wake of last week’s military coup.
The regional organization had given the revolutionaries Sunday seven days to restore President Muhammad Bazoum, who was overthrown on July 26, to office, under penalty of the use of “force”.
The military leaders of the countries of the group met in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to discuss ways to deal with the latest coup in the African Sahel region.
“In this meeting, all elements of possible intervention were identified, including the necessary resources, as well as how and when we will deploy the force,” said Abdel-Fattah Moussa, Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security in the regional organisation.
He added that “the chiefs of staff and their team have worked around the clock (since Wednesday) to develop an operational vision for a possible military intervention in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order and secure the release of the detained president.”
Moussa continued, “ECOWAS will not inform the putschists when and where we will strike,” adding that this is “a practical decision that will be taken by the heads of state” of the bloc.
A delegation from ECOWAS, headed by former Nigerian President Abdel Salam Abubek, arrived in the capital, Niamey, on Thursday, but left at night without meeting the head of the National Council for the Protection of the Country, General Abd al-Rahman Tiane, nor the ousted president Bazoum.
The commissioner for political affairs and security in the organization added: “We want diplomacy to succeed, and we want to convey this message clearly (to the putschists), that is, we give them every possible opportunity to reverse their actions.”
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2023-08-05 05:32:23
