ECOWAS says use of military force in Niger “last resort”
GOOBJOOG NEWS | ABUJA: West Africa’s regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has said a military intervention in junta-ruled Niger was “the last resort” as Nigeria cut electricity supplies to intensify pressure on the country’s coup leaders.
On Wednesday, ECOWAS leaders met in Nigeria’s capital Abuja to structure a response while a delegation was in Niger for negotiations, a week after the coup that shook the fragile nation.
As ex-colonial power France sent in a fifth plane to evacuate its citizens, coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani insisted they had no reason to quit the country.
Joining the departures, the United States ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy in Niamey.
The ECOWAS bloc on Sunday imposed trade and financial sanctions, giving the coup leaders a week to reinstate Niger’s democratically elected president or face the “military option”.
“Military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
Junta-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso have warned any military intervention in their neighbour would be tantamount to a “declaration of war” against them.
- By Fauxile Kibet