The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a pivotal step in addressing the recent coup in Niger by agreeing on a specific date for a potential military intervention aimed at reinstating constitutional governance.
This decision was revealed by Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, following the conclusion of a high-level meeting in Accra on Friday, August 18.
Commissioner Musah underscored the thoroughness of the preparations, stating, “We’ve already agreed and fine-tuned what will be required for the intervention.”
In his words;
“We’ve already agreed and fine tuned what will be required for the intervention.
“All member states of ECOWAS present here today have all committed elements, they have committed their own equipment, they have committed their own resources to undertake this mission, so I tell you we are ready to go anytime the order is given.”
In a display of collective resolve, the majority of the 15 ECOWAS member states expressed their unwavering willingness to participate in the joint military effort.
Notably, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Cape Verde, all under military rule, are exceptions in this united front.
“The D-day is also decided,” Musah added.
Commissioner Musah stressed ECOWAS’s multifaceted approach to resolving the crisis, which includes considering mediation and sanctions.
However, he emphasized that the core objective remains the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
“All options are on the table”
“We want to get back to constitutional normalcy, and the decision is that the coup in Niger is one coup too many for the region, and we are putting a stop to it at this time, and we are drawing the line in the sand.
The Commissioner asserted that the coup represents a serious departure from democratic norms and necessitates a robust response.
In tandem with ECOWAS’s preparations, the United Nations (UN) has voiced its apprehension about the situation in Niger.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement urging Niger’s military authorities to expedite the restoration of constitutional governance.
In her words;
“The people have already been through so much hardship over the years, now, the very people they elected to build a pathway to end their destitution have been removed by force against the constitutional order and detained by the coup leaders. They must be released at once and democracy restored.”
This latest development comes in the wake of ECOWAS’s earlier ultimatum to the military leadership in Niger.
The ultimatum, issued on July 30, gave the military authorities a one-week deadline to reinstate President Bazoum or face the prospect of military intervention.
The deadline lapsed without any remedial actions being taken, prompting ECOWAS to escalate its preparations for a possible intervention.
Leave a Reply