After condemning the coup d’état in Niger, the Chiefs of Staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries will meet from Wednesday to Friday in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to the statement, “the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff (CCDS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet in Abuja from 2nd to 4th August 2023 to discuss the political situation in the Republic of Niger.” The Chiefs of Staff are meeting “following the decision of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government during their extraordinary session held on 30th July 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria,” the statement reads.
The ECOWAS Chiefs of Operations are composed of officers from the military operations of the member states’ headquarters in the Community. On Sunday, during an extraordinary session, the Heads of State did not rule out a military intervention in Niger – following last Wednesday’s coup d’état – to restore constitutional order, particularly to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum to his functions.
The ECOWAS has given a seven-day ultimatum to the military that overthrew power in Niger, not ruling out the use of force to restore constitutional order. The ultimatum is set to expire on 4th August 2023. On the same day, General Tchani warned against any external military interference.
