ABUJA (Reuters) – West African defence chiefs have developed a plan for potential military intervention to overturn the recent coup in Niger. The plan includes details on how and when to deploy forces, according to a leader from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The regional bloc has decided not to disclose the timing and location of the military strike to the coup plotters. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, stated that this decision will be made by the heads of states.
“All the necessary elements for a potential intervention have been determined, including the required resources and the strategy for deploying the force,” said Musah at the conclusion of a three-day meeting held in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
ECOWAS has already imposed sanctions on Niger and has indicated its readiness to authorize the use of force if the coup leaders fail to reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum by Sunday.
A delegation from the 15-member body was dispatched to Niger on Thursday in an effort to seek an “amicable resolution.” However, a source within the delegation reported that a meeting with the junta’s representatives at the airport did not yield any breakthroughs.
“We want diplomacy to succeed, and we want to convey a clear message to them that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse their actions,” Musah stated.
Reporting by Boureima Balima and Moussa Aksar in Niamey, Felix Onuah and Camillus Eboh in Abuja. Additional reporting by Andrew Osborn in Moscow, Heine Friederike in Berlin, and Michel Rose in Paris. Written by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Nellie Peyton. Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Cynthia Osterman.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
