As part of the military intervention in Niger, Faure Gnassingbé, the President of the Togolese Republic, has prohibited the use of Togolese airspace by the ECOWAS standby force.
According to Confidential Africa, the Togolese President disagrees with the military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger. He prefers a peaceful resolution to the political situation in Niger involving the coup leaders who ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
After being informed of the decision made by the Togolese government, the Élysée Palace communicated this decision to other leaders in the sub-region, including Macky Sall, Alassane Ouattara, Tinubu Bola, and Embalo Sissoko.
It is worth noting that the Nigerian Senate has not yet approved the intervention of Nigerian forces in Niger by the current ECOWAS chairman, Bola Tinubu. Additionally, Chad has not allowed the use of its airspace for the ECOWAS standby force.
Faced with this decision, the challenges encountered by ECOWAS in coordinating and deploying defense forces from member countries in the context of Niger are evident.
As a reminder, on July 26, 2023, elements of the presidential guard removed Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum from power. Furthermore, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) has been assumed by Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
