Military Chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS are expected to meet in Accra, Ghana on August 17 and 18, 2023 to discuss a possible military intervention in Niger.
The two-day meeting was called after the bloc’s leaders last week approved the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger after the elected President Mohamed Bazoum was toppled by the military on the 26th of last month.
The meeting follows the expiration of the ECOWAS ultimatum after the coup. Speaking on Behind the News International Relations Expert, Dr. Ken Ahorsu, said he does not anticipate ECOWAS to take any decision that will further worsen the situation in Niger. He asked ECOWAS to open up channels of communication and consider a transitional government plan.
Dr. Ahorsu on ECOWAS:
Dr. Ahorsu said to avert the recurrence of coups in the sub-region, leaders must ensure natural resources are managed well. For him, the nature of democracy being practiced in Africa is problematic which incites such military takeovers.
Adib Sani on ECOWAS Chiefs:
Security Analyst, Adib Saani, says today’s meeting of ECOWAS chiefs in Ghana, will be a make or break for the country. He encouraged ECOWAS to explore all angles of diplomacy.
Speaking on Behind the News, Mr. Saani, said any attempts to use military intervention in Niger will be the biggest mistake ever.
Niger Army Volunteers:
Meanwhile, Africa News reports that Residents of Niger’s capital, Niamey, are calling for the mass recruitment of volunteers to assist the army in the face of a growing threat by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, which says it will use military force if the junta does not reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
ECOWAS has activated a “standby force” to restore order in Niger after the junta ignored a deadline to release and reinstate Bazoum.
A resident said ECOWAS has been tailor-made for the presidents in power and they do not need it.
He stated that “Whether ECOWAS intervenes or not, Niger is ready for all options. Niger is now preparing for a possible invasion by countries in the region, three weeks after mutinous soldiers ousted the nation’s democratically elected president.
The initiative, spearheaded by a group of locals in Niamey, aims to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers from across the country to register for the Defense of Niger. The group would fight, assist with medical care, and provide technical and engineering logistics among other functions, in case the junta needs help.
Regional tensions are deepening as the standoff between Niger and ECOWAS shows no signs of defusing, despite signals from both sides that they are open to resolving the crisis peacefully.