Top military officials representing ECOWAS member countries are slated to assemble in Ghana later this week to deliberate on potential involvement in Niger, as confirmed by sources in both military and political circles within the region.
The gathering, scheduled for Thursday and Friday after its initial postponement from the previous weekend, is a direct outcome of ECOWAS leaders’ recent greenlighting of the activation of a “rapid response force to reinstate constitutional order” in Niger. This decision followed the removal of Niger’s president on July 26.
During their recent summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, last Thursday, ECOWAS leaders reasserted their preference for resolving the situation through diplomatic means.
Niger’s 2021 presidential election marked a significant turning point for the nation, signifying its first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960.
The subsequent upheaval sent shockwaves across West Africa, echoing the experiences of Mali and Burkina Faso, which have also grappled with military takeovers amid ongoing jihadist uprisings.
In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a one-week ultimatum on July 30, urging Niger’s military leaders to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or face the potential application of force. However, the deadline passed without any action being taken.
Experts highlight that executing a military intervention would pose both operational risks and political challenges, given the internal divisions within ECOWAS and the criticism the bloc has faced domestically.
