Gathered on Thursday, August 10, 2023, in Abuja to assess the security situation in Niger, the heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have endorsed the activation of a military intervention force to restore constitutional order. The objective is to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
Things are becoming clearer within ECOWAS. After strongly condemning the military coup on Wednesday, August 26, 2023, ECOWAS remains steadfast, reaffirming its commitment to restoring constitutional order in Niger on Thursday in Abuja. The sub-regional organization, which initiated unsuccessful talks with the military junta, has endorsed the activation and deployment of its military intervention force.
Certainly, ECOWAS still gives importance to negotiations, but the use of force is becoming an increasingly concrete option. “No option is ruled out, including the use of force as a last resort,” Nigerian President and current ECOWAS Chair Bola Tinubu declared in his closing remarks of the session.
According to a source within ECOWAS, “the military option is very serious.” The sub-regional organization displays unwavering determination to restore constitutional order even if it means using force as a last resort. Information gathered indicates that the ECOWAS intervention force will primarily consist of Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers.
In a previous statement, the military junta led by General Tiani in Niger stated that it will retaliate in the event of a potential ECOWAS attack. The junta also rejected a UN-AU-ECOWAS mediation delegation this week. It seems that the junta is not ready to capitulate to ECOWAS. Are we then heading towards an inevitable confrontation of forces, and who could benefit from this?
