ECOWAS, UN Open Last Diplomatic Option In Niger

In a last minute effort to avoid potential military action, West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN), have opened a last-ditch diplomatic option with the military junta in Niger.

The representatives from ECOWAS are expected to arrive in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, on Saturday, to join diplomatic efforts by United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao.

Santos arrived Niamey to facilitate the diplomatic solution to the ongoing political impasse in the country.

On Friday, UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said Simao would meet with the junta and other parties in Niamey.

“What we want to see is a return to the constitutional order. We want to see the liberation of the president and his family and restoration of his legitimate authority”, he said.

West African leaders who met in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, had on Thursday, August 10, directed ECOWAS military chiefs to be on the standby for military action to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who was sacked by the military junta on July 26.

On Friday, ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states agreed to commit troops for military deployment saying they were “ready to go” whenever the order was given.

Speaking after a two-day meeting of ECOWAS Military Chiefs in Accra, Ghana, Musah emphasised that the regional bloc is still seeking to engage peacefully with Niger’s military leaders.

“We are ready to go any time the order is given. The D-day is also decided. We’ve already agreed and fine-tuned what will be required for the intervention.

“As we speak, we are still readying a mediation mission into the country, so we have not shut any door.

“Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa, both the military and the civilian components, are ready to answer to the call of duty”, he said.