It’s just a matter of time now; ECOWAS is going to intervene in Niger to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. But what are the chances for this military intervention? Juste Codjo shares his technical opinion.
As a military expert and a professor in the Department of Professional Security Studies at the University of New Jersey in the United States, Juste Codjo has expressed his thoughts on the feasibility of the military intervention announced by ECOWAS in Niger.
In an interview on the VOA radio, the Beninese military expert states that ECOWAS’ military intervention in Niger would carry high risks and have a low chance of success.
“In the current geopolitical context, whether it’s the political situation within Niger or the geopolitical configuration of the sub-region at the moment, I don’t see ECOWAS capable of swiftly deploying multinational military troops without external logistical support to restore the ousted president. It seems quite risky to me with very little chance of success,” emphasized the military expert.
According to Juste Codjo, ECOWAS’ intervention in Niger could endanger the life of the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. “President Bazoum is in the hands of the coup leaders, and ECOWAS has not developed expertise in such situations in the past. All the interventions by ECOWAS in the past did not involve reinstating a president who is in the hands of those who overthrew him. This is an unprecedented operation that is going to happen, and I believe fundamentally that the president’s life would be in danger,” he said.
Furthermore, the Beninese military expert asserts that this intervention would lead the Nigerien people to show even more solidarity with the military, along with reinforcing anti-French sentiment and increasing Russian influence in the sub-region.
