ABUJA: Military leaders from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS are scheduled to convene in Ghana this week to discuss potential intervention in Niger, as reported by military and political sources in the region on Tuesday.
The meeting, originally planned for the past weekend but postponed, is set to take place on Thursday and Friday. This gathering follows the approval by ECOWAS leaders last week for the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger. The country’s president was ousted on July 26 by his presidential guard. The summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja last Thursday also reiterated the preference for a diplomatic solution.
Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum’s election in 2021 marked a historic moment for the country, signifying its first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960. However, his removal by the forces caused shockwaves across West Africa, where Mali and Burkina Faso, similarly grappling with a jihadist insurgency, have experienced military takeovers.
Following Bazoum oust, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a one-week ultimatum on July 30 to Niger’s military rulers, demanding the restoration of Bazoum or facing the potential use of force. The deadline passed without any action, and analysts highlight the operational and political risks associated with military intervention, given divisions within ECOWAS and domestic criticism.
Defiance and Diplomacy as Niger Crisis Escalates
Niger’s military regime has conveyed mixed signals since the crisis emerged. Over the weekend, coup leaders expressed openness to diplomatic efforts after General Abdourahamane Tiani, their leader, met with Nigerian religious mediators. These discussions followed the postponement of the ECOWAS military meeting in Ghana for “technical reasons.” However, on Sunday night, Niger’s rulers announced they had gathered enough evidence to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason and undermining internal and external security.” ECOWAS criticized this legal threat, viewing it as contradictory to the regime’s claimed willingness to explore peaceful avenues. The United States also expressed strong concerns.
In a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged a “peaceful political and diplomatic” resolution to the crisis, as communicated by the Kremlin. Mali, which experienced a coup in 2020, has developed an alliance with Russia, acquiring Russian aircraft and bringing in paramilitary forces that the West alleges are Wagner mercenaries.
Poverty and Instability in Niger
Niger, a landlocked country situated in the arid Sahel region, ranks among the world’s poorest and most unstable countries. President Bazoum, aged 63, survived two coup attempts before his eventual ousting, marking the fifth coup in Niger’s history. His removal dealt a significant blow to the strategies of France and the United States in the Sahel. France shifted its anti-jihadist operations focus to Niger after withdrawing from Mali and Burkina Faso last year following conflicts with their respective military juntas. Concerns of the international community are mounting for the well-being of Bazoum, his wife, and his son, who have been detained at the presidential residence since the coup.
