BREAKING: Tension As ECOWAS Activates Rapid Response Forces To Restore Constitutional Order In Niger
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has initiated the activation of its rapid response forces to reinstate constitutional order in Niger, according to media reports on Wednesday.
ECOWAS announced that the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff within the organization will convene in Accra, Ghana on August 17-18 to deliberate on the final deployment strategy for the rapid response forces in Niger.
Earlier in August, the President of Cote d’Ivoire stated that ECOWAS leaders had agreed to initiate a military operation in Niger as swiftly as possible, following discussions at the organization’s summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (Conseil National pour la sauvegarde de la patrie, CNSP) assumed control of the country, led by General Abdurahmane Tchiani. Although Bazoum is still confined to his residence, he has maintained communication with international leaders and representatives via phone.
ECOWAS, to which Niger is a member, demanded the release of Bazoum by August 7. However, this deadline was not met, leading to another meeting among ECOWAS leaders on August 10.
A communique issued after the summit emphasized ECOWAS’s commitment to a peaceful resolution while remaining open to all potential approaches to address the crisis in Niger. The organization stated, “All options for reinstating constitutional order in Niger are under consideration.”
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso and Mali expressed solidarity with the people of Niger and criticized ECOWAS’s imposition of sanctions on Niamey. They argued that such sanctions only exacerbate the suffering of the populace and endanger the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Both countries warned that they would view such actions as an attack on themselves