ECOWAS Deploys Military to Restore Order in Niger

author: FutureCar Staff    

West African military chiefs gathered in Ghana on Thursday to discuss potential armed intervention to reverse a coup in Niger. This meeting comes as Germany calls for EU sanctions against the rebel leaders. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been alarmed by the series of military takeovers in the region and has agreed to activate a "standby force to restore constitutional order" in Niger. ECOWAS is demanding the release of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted on July 26, and has warned that troops could be sent in if negotiations fail.

Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, emphasized the importance of democracy and stability during the meeting. He stated that the focus of the gathering was not simply to react to events but to proactively chart a course that leads to peace. ECOWAS troops have previously intervened in other emergencies, such as wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. While Ivory Coast, Benin, and Nigeria are expected to contribute troops, there is little information available about a potential operation in Niger.

The two-day meeting in Accra aims to "fine tune" the details in case the use of force becomes necessary. The defence chiefs are expected to announce any next steps at the conclusion of the meeting on Friday. ECOWAS commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah expressed concerns about the military junta in Niger, describing their actions as a violation of the country's constitution and ECOWAS protocols. The coup leaders have blamed deteriorating security for their actions and have threatened to charge President Bazoum with treason, although they have also expressed openness to negotiations.

Russia and the United States have urged a diplomatic solution to the crisis, while ECOWAS has already implemented trade and financial sanctions. France, Germany, and the United States have also suspended aid programs. Germany's foreign ministry announced its support for regional efforts to resolve the crisis and called for EU sanctions on the coup leaders. The ministry emphasized the goal of restoring constitutional order in Niger.

The meeting in Accra took place against the backdrop of fresh violence in Niger, with jihadists ambushing and killing at least 17 soldiers. This attack represents the heaviest losses since the coup on July 26. Jihadist insurgencies have plagued the Sahel region for over a decade, starting in northern Mali in 2012 and spreading to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. The violence has resulted in the deaths of numerous troops, police officers, and civilians, as well as the displacement of millions of people.

Analysts argue that any ECOWAS intervention against the coup leaders in Niger would be both militarily and politically risky. The bloc has expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution. Talks have already taken place this week in Addis Ababa between ECOWAS and Niger representatives under the African Union's auspices. The United States has announced that a new ambassador will soon head to Niger to lead diplomatic efforts aimed at reversing the coup.

The crisis in Niger has significant implications for food security in the country. President Bazoum's election in 2021 marked a milestone for Niger, as it was the first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960. However, the country remains one of the poorest in the world, with consistently low rankings on the UN's Human Development Index. The United Nations has warned that the crisis could worsen food insecurity in Niger and has called for humanitarian exemptions to sanctions and border closures to prevent a catastrophe.

Niger is also grappling with a jihadist insurgency in its southeast, with militants crossing over from Nigeria. This insurgency originated from Boko Haram's campaign in 2010.

FutureCar Staff