Niger’s junta has directed its armed forces to go on ’maximum alert’ on the grounds of heightened threats of attack, according to an internal document issued by its defence chief on Friday, August 25 stating that a security source in the country had confirmed the authenticity of the reports.
The document, which made rounds online on Saturday, August 26 had revealed that the directive would permit forces to respond adequately in case of any sneak attacks and to generally avoid a surprise.
Recall that West African bloc, ECOWAS, has been attempting to negotiate with the leaders of the July 26 coup, but it has since stated that it is ready to dispatch troops to restore constitutional order if all diplomatic efforts fail.
On Friday, the West African organisation downplayed this alleged threat, saying that it was intent on bending backwards to accommodate diplomatic efforts, although an intervention was still a card that was still on the table.
President Omar Alieu Touray had told news reporters:
“For avoidance of doubt, we would like to state unequivocally that ECOWAS has neither announced war on the people of Niger, nor has there been a plan, as it is being alleged, to invade the country.”
The bloc’s plan earlier this month to activate a standby force for a possible intervention had raised fears and trepidation of an escalation that could further destabilise the insurgency-torn Sahel area.
