The militaries of the countries of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS say they’re fully deployed and ready for the invasion of Republic of Niger to fulfil the mandate of restoring constitutional order.
A military junta led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani had seized power in a bloodless coup July 26 and eased out President Mohamed Bazoum from office.
ECOWAS, led by Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu previously slammed a seven-day ultimatum on the new leadership in Niamey to restore the ousted president or face military action, but the threat was rebuffed by the coupists.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse have since been stepped up.
But contingent on the meeting of ECOWAS defense chiefs in Accra, Ghana’s capital this Thursday, the potential of military option has once again revved up.
A tough-talking ECOWAS Commissioner, Abdel-Fatau Musah, insisted, “Let no one be in doubt if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa…are ready to answer to the call of duty. By all means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country”.
Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, re-echoing the same hard line said, “Democracy is what we stand for and it’s what we encourage.”
But rising Jihadist insurgency, several coups since 2015 in Mali, Burkino Faso and other countries in the sub-region, worsening poverty and the suspicion of vested foreign economic interests have raised concerns about democratic sustainability and political stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Analysts fear a military invasion of Niger could spiral more instability in the region with unforeseen collateral consequences.
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