Niamey: In a significant development aimed at restoring democratic leadership to Niger after last month's coup, eleven West African nations have come together to pledge military support.
An official from the regional bloc, ECOWAS, announced this collaborative effort following a defense ministers meeting. While ECOWAS had previously declared its intention to deploy a force for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, the specifics of participating countries and the deployment timeline had not been divulged.
The ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, affirmed that eleven nations are fully committed to the deployment.
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Musah conveyed this information in Accra, Ghana, following intensive discussions over two days. Musah emphasized the readiness of the troops to respond promptly to the region's call of duty.
However, the coalition does not include Niger itself, nor the three other countries within the bloc that are currently under military rule due to coups: Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Notably, the latter two nations have cautioned that any intervention in Niger would be considered an act of war.
Musah conveyed that ECOWAS remains open to engaging with Niger's coup leaders, despite their lack of response to the call for President Bazoum's reinstatement and their resistance to negotiation. To pursue further dialogue, an ECOWAS delegation might visit Niger on Saturday.
Musah expressed a nuanced approach, stating that while the military option is not the preferred course, the bloc feels compelled due to the regime's unyielding stance and the barriers it has erected against a negotiated settlement.
Against this backdrop, a prominent member of Bazoum's political party highlighted the gravity of the situation. He warned that if the mutineering soldiers behind Bazoum's ousting succeed, it could pose a grave threat to democracy and security across not just the region but the entire continent. The current crisis in Niger carries implications far beyond its borders.
Niger's stability is crucial within a region marked by frequent coups. The nation was regarded as one of the few remaining democratic partners for Western countries combating the surge of jihadi insurgency linked to Al-Qaeda and Daesh.
The upheaval caused by the recent coup has dealt a significant blow to international efforts, including military collaboration and operations conducted by countries such as the United States and France.
The internal conflict appears to stem from a power struggle between President Bazoum and the head of the presidential guard, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who has declared himself in charge.
The junta has capitalized on public grievances against former colonial ruler France, while silencing opposition and garnering support.
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In the midst of these events, local and international dynamics remain in flux. As supporters of the junta rally in Niamey, challenging questions arise about the authenticity of this backing, considering allegations of financial inducements and Russia's involvement.
Amidst these complexities, the citizens of Niger endure economic challenges and disruptions caused by the coup.
As events unfold, the engagement of regional forces further underscores the seriousness of the situation in Niger, with potential repercussions that extend beyond national boundaries.