Military leaders in Niger have issued a warning against any armed intervention in the country as West African leaders prepare to gather in Nigeria’s capital for an emergency summit. The summit aims to decide on further actions to pressure the army to restore constitutional order.
The heads of state from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union could potentially suspend Niger from its institutions, cut off the country from the regional central bank and financial market, and close borders as part of their response. Chad, Niger’s eastern neighbor and a non-member of both regional organizations, has been invited to attend the ECOWAS summit.
Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, receives around $2 billion a year in official development assistance. It is also a security partner for France and the United States in their efforts to combat the Islamist insurgency in the wider Sahel region.
The West African leaders may consider a military intervention to restore President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted when General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself the new head of state. In anticipation of the summit, the military leaders in Niger issued a statement on national television warning against any military intervention. They accused ECOWAS of planning an imminent military intervention in collaboration with non-member African countries and certain western countries.
The junta spokesman Colonel Amadou Abdramane emphasized their determination to defend their homeland and invited citizens in the capital to protest against ECOWAS and show support for the new military leaders.
The military coup in Niger has been condemned by neighboring countries and international partners, who have refused to recognize the new leaders and demand the restoration of President Bazoum. The European Union, France, and the United States have taken actions such as cutting off financial support. The African Union has issued a statement demanding that the military return to their barracks and restore constitutional order within 15 days.
(Reporting by Boureima Balima and Moussa Aksar; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
