If diplomatic efforts fail, then military intervention by ECOWAS member states in Niger is likely to restore constitutional order and return the country’s president-elect Mohamed Bazoum to the presidency.
This is the conclusion of the meeting held yesterday, Thursday, August 17, 2023, in Ghana by the chiefs of general staff of the ECOWAS countries.
On July 26, 2023, Niger’s presidential guard overthrew the country’s elected president and imposed a dictatorial regime, ignoring calls from the international community and the rest of West Africa for the country to return to the restoration of constitutional order.
Niger is an important state for Western interests because of its uranium and gold reserves, and the country is also pivotal in the fight against jihadists operating across the Sahel region. Already, forces from the US, France, Germany and Italy are stationed in Niger. Also, the situation that has developed in Niger raises concerns about the stability in Mali. The presence of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner is also strong in both countries, where it supports and trains the military regimes that have been imposed.
ECOWAS has previously deployed military forces to Gambia and Liberia. With the exception of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Cape Verde, which are under military rule, the remaining ECOWAS members are determined to take action in Niger as well, if required.
