Niger’s military junta has sought help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner as the deadline set by ECOWAS for President Mohamed Bazoum to be reinstated looms.
On Friday, defence chiefs from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States concluded a three-day strategy meeting in Abuja, announcing their readiness to use force if approval is given. The group has given until Sunday for restoration of democracy in the country.
ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said all the elements that would go into any intervention had been worked out and were being refined, including the timing, resources needed and how, where and when to deploy such force.
“But first, we are giving diplomacy every chance to succeed and there have been multiple approaches to the military Junta in Niger,” he said after the meeting.
“So I want to, through this medium also appeal to the military in Niger to give peace a chance, and then think about their populations and do the right thing by immediately restoring constitutional order in their country.
“That is our message to them and if they don’t, then we will make them hand over to civilian authorities and that is the determination of ECOWAS and we want to send that message clearly across to all of them,” he said.
The remarks came after a mediation team sent by the bloc to mediate was disallowed from meeting President Bazoum and the coup leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani.
Read More
- Niger Coup: Tinubu notifies Senate of planned military action
- Senegal ready to send troops against Niger junta
- Nigeria punishes Niger with power cut after coup
- Reversing Niger coup will “send a message” – Nigeria’s defence chief
– Seeking Russia
The junta has asked Wagner, the Russian private military company that has been accused of human rights abuses in Ukraine, to help them consolidate their power, as it has done in Mali and Burkina Faso after those countries also experienced military takeovers, the Associated Press reported Saturday.
It said the request was made during a visit by a coup leader, Gen. Salifou Mody, to Mali, where he made contact with a Wagner representative. The outlet quoted Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, who said the details were confirmed by three Malian sources and a French diplomat.
“They need (Wagner) because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power,” Nasr said. He said Wagner was considering the request.
Modi, the Nigerien coup leader who visited Mali, warned after his trip that Niger would do what it takes not to become “a new Libya,” Niger’s state television reported Friday.
French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, said on Saturday her countr supports ECOWAS plans “with firmness and determination”. “Coups are no longer appropriate … It’s time to put an end to it,” she said.
– Why this matters
If Wagner were to provide support, it may complicate ECOWAS plans. Nigeria and Senegal have so far made clear their readiness to send troops to dislodge the coupists, but many Nigerians have urged caution.
Niger shares more than 1,000km-line border with Nigeria and has been involved in the fight against Boko Haram and other jihadists in the Sahel.
Reuters reported that already Nigerien forces have withdrawn from a regional force that fought against Boko Haram and affiliate groups.
Discover more from Pluboard
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.