ECOWAS activates standby force in preparation for potential intervention in Niger coup

In response to the recent coup in Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Thursday that it has decided to activate its standby force. At the same time, it emphasised its continuous commitment to restoring constitutional order in the country through peaceful means. ECOWAS is comprised of 15 different West African states.

In a statement released at the conclusion of a summit that took place in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, the regional bloc reiterated its vehement condemnation of the coup that took place in Niger. The statement also stated that the regional bloc respects all of the measures and principles that were agreed upon by the urgent ECOWAS summit that took place on July 30.

According to the statement, the leaders of ECOWAS have “directed the (ECOWAS) committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff to activate its standby force with all its members immediately.” They have also instructed the ECOWAS standby force to be ready for deployment in order to restore constitutional order in Niger.

However, the regional grouping did not disclose any specifics regarding the force that will be deployed or the schedule for actions to be taken against the military leaders who took control of Niger two weeks ago.

In addition, the bloc stated that it would implement all punishment measures, including the shutting down of borders and the imposition of stringent travel bans, against any individuals or groups whose actions impede peaceful attempts to restore constitutional order in Niger.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) advised its member states against “directly or indirectly hinder(ing) the peaceful resolution of the crisis.” The ECOWAS stated that all alternatives are on the table for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Following the reluctance of Niger’s military junta to hand over power to former President Mohamed Bazoum, the West African grouping decided to mobilise the regional standby force.

During a briefing in Abuja, the president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, stated that the major purpose of the regional standby force is to restore calm and order while also facilitating the return to constitutional governance in Niger.

On July 26, the military in Niger detained Bazoum and chose Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former leader of the country’s presidential guard, to lead the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland. This governing body was established by the soldiers after the coup and has been exercising legislative and executive authority ever since. Bazoum was arrested by the military.

The military takeover, which was the third of its sort in West Africa in the past three years, has been condemned by several African countries, which believe that the illegitimate shift of power poses a threat to the continent’s ability to maintain its stability and advance its development. The international world is concerned that unrest in the Sahel region could encourage the growth of extremism.

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo are all members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).