Tensions escalate as West African nations prepare for a potential military intervention in Niger. In a defiant stand against international calls for their resignation, leaders of an army coup stand their ground while the ousted president’s return to office hangs in the balance.
The magnitude of the impending force, the timeframe for assembly, and the likelihood of an invasion remain uncertain at this juncture.
ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) ordered the activation of a standby force on Thursday, a move marking the first deployment of such a force in the region. This development casts a shadow of heightened conflict in an area of vested global interests.
Though ECOWAS retains hope for a peaceful resolution to the Niger crisis, analysts suggest that assembling the ECOWAS force could extend over weeks, allowing space for diplomatic negotiations.
In an attempt to bolster the regional response, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara pledged a battalion of troops for the standby force. A battalion, consisting of 850 troops, could significantly contribute to the planned intervention.
Senegal, another member of ECOWAS, has also expressed willingness to contribute troops to the intervention force, although specifics about troop commitment remain undisclosed.
Amidst this unfolding saga, Gambia and Liberia have not yet made decisions regarding troop deployment, while other ECOWAS nations are yet to respond to inquiries.
The establishment of a standby force with thousands of troops has been a long-standing initiative for ECOWAS. Funding delays and insufficient troop commitments previously hampered its realization.
The African Union has lauded ECOWAS’ activation of the regional force and continues to advocate for a diplomatic solution. Meanwhile, the junta’s response to these developments remains pending.
The ramifications of the coup in Niger reverberate far beyond its borders. A politically motivated upheaval in Niger, a nation rich in uranium but impoverished economically, resonates internationally due to its role as a key Western ally in combating Islamist militants in the Sahel region.
In the wake of this uncertainty, the capital city, Niamey, remains relatively calm. While some residents express defiance against potential military intervention, frustration with ECOWAS simmers.
“We remain undaunted, united with our defense and security forces,” asserts student Hama Moussa. “The people stood up against sanctions and decisions imposed upon us.”
Issa Seydou, another student, echoes the sentiment, rejecting the notion of military intervention.
Since the coup, the junta has organized rallies garnering support from many Nigeriens. Amidst anti-Western sentiment, some demonstrations have targeted the French embassy, underscoring the complexity of the situation.
France supports ECOWAS’ conclusions from the emergency summit, yet refrains from specifying direct support for a potential intervention. Meanwhile, no official requests for assistance from ECOWAS have been made to France or the United States.
Militaries in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso align with the Nigerien junta, highlighting regional solidarity among military governments.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirms support for ECOWAS’ efforts and holds the junta accountable for the safety of the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family. The European Union also demands Bazoum’s immediate release.
Disturbing reports emerge from Human Rights Watch, citing Bazoum’s captivity and the inhumane treatment of his family. Allegedly denied medical treatment, Bazoum pleads for his sick son’s access to a doctor.
In a chilling twist, reports have surfaced of the junta’s alleged plot to assassinate Bazoum if ECOWAS proceeds with a military intervention. Two Western officials confirmed this information to the Associated Press on Thursday.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, awaiting the resolution of this complex and evolving crisis.
