To restore constitutional order in the Niger Republic, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has started the process of activating its standby force.
This comes after the ECOWAS defence chiefs met in Ghana’s capital city of Accra.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ECOWAS said that it has started activating its standby force in preparation for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
Niger Coup: See What Tinubu Told ECOWAS Leaders To Do
The statement reads, “To this end, the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defence staff will be having an extraordinary meeting in Accra, Ghana from 17th to 18th August 2023 to finalise plans for the deployment of the standby force.”
The bloc underlined that the plan to go into any military intervention had been drawn up and were being developed, including the timing, resources needed, and how, where, and when to deploy such force. This was in spite of defence chiefs urging for talks with military coup leaders in Niger.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, ECOWAS considered deploying military forces in Niger last week.
The choice was made at the conclusion of the second emergency meeting, which was held to address the political crisis in Niger.
President Bola Tinubu, the head of ECOWAS, said during a meeting that the group’s leaders had been tasked with exploring all possible diplomatic options to achieve a prompt restoration of constitutional government in Niger.
BREAKING: ECOWAS Orders Immediate Invasion Of Niger With Standby Force
Action was required, according to Tinubu, because the political crisis in Niger not only threatens the country’s stability but also has significant ramifications for the entire West African area.
The head of ECOWAS reaffirmed that the organisation would continue to support Niger in its efforts to achieve peaceful democracy and stability.
following meeting with Nigeria’s intervention team, which was made up of Islamic clerics, a few days following the bloc’s operations, the Niger military junta declared they were prepared to seek diplomatic engagement.
However, in a fresh twist, the Niger military administration said it would prosecute the “deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international authorities for high treason and undermining internal and external security”.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.