Ecowas insists on Niger military action ‘if everything else fails’

The West African group of countries Ecowas vowed on Thursday to use force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic if peaceful and diplomatic efforts to reverse the July 26 coup there fail.

A senior official of the coalition told Ecowas military heads who were meeting in Ghana on Thursday that, “by all means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country.”

“Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa…are ready to answer to the call of duty,” ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah told the defence chiefs, according to Reuters.

Coup leaders in Niamey have refused to heed the regional bloc’s demand to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum.

General Abdourahmane Tiani, who took power after the coup amid global condemnation, says the junta is open to talks with Ecowas after initially refusing to meet with envoys.

Yet, the junta says it will prosecute President Bazoum for “high treason” for talking to foreign leaders and international organizations while in detention.

Analysts view the move as a sign the putchists are unwilling to seek a peaceful route out of the crisis.

There are concerns any intervention could lead to a wider conflict.

Three members of the Ecowas group of countries have backed the junta. the countries — Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea – are also led by military rulers.

– Not France

Mr Musah rejected the accusation that Ecowas was working to please foreign powers.

“What they forget is that ECOWAS is a rules-based organisation. We have our protocols, we have our norms and we are ready to protect them,” he said.

“That’s why the heads of state are saying if push comes to shove we are going into Niger with our own contingents, own equipment and our own resources to make sure we restore constitutional order. If other democracy-loving partners want to support us they are welcome,” he said.

Mr Musah riticised the junta’s threat to prosecute President Bazoum.

“The irony of it is that somebody who is in a hostage situation himself…is being charged with treason. When did he commit that high treason is everybody’s guess,” he said.