The West African army chiefs of staff began their meeting Thursday in Ghana to discuss a possible armed intervention in Niger after the military-led coup, against which Berlin has called for European sanctions.
“Democracy is what we stand for and support,” said Nigeria’s Chief of Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, at the opening of the meeting, which runs until Friday in Accra between military officials from the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
L’Express summarizes the latest information for you.
ECOWAS still favors the path of dialogue
If the option of an armed operation remains on the table, ECOWAS still seems to favor the path of dialogue with the military regime which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and placed General Abdourahamane Tiani at the head of the country. “The objective of our meeting is not simply to react to events but to proactively chart a path that leads to peace and supports stability,” General Gwabin Musa continued.
According to Abdel-Fatau Musah, commissioner for political affairs, peace and security within ECOWAS, the meeting will “refine” the details in case the organization “resorts to the ultimate means of force”. “The military junta in Niger is playing cat and mouse with ECOWAS,” he said. “They flouted their own constitution and ECOWAS protocols,” he said.
In the past, ECOWAS troops have already intervened, particularly during the wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The crucial meeting comes two days after a deadly attack in southwestern Niger by suspected jihadists killed at least 17 Nigerien soldiers and injured 20 others.
Germany raises its voice
On the diplomatic front, Germany raised its tone on Thursday by calling on the European Union to take “sanctions” against the perpetrators of the coup in Niger, a country crucial to supplying the European continent with uranium. “After the suspension of development and security cooperation, we want to implement sanctions against the putschists in the EU,” the German Foreign Office wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Currently on a visit to Nigeria, the German Minister for Cooperation, Svenja Schulze, led “discussions in Abuja to see how best to support the efforts of ECOWAS”, the ministry further indicated. “Germany supports regional efforts to resolve the crisis in Niger. Our goal is to restore constitutional order,” the ministry said.
The West African organization has already taken retaliatory measures against the perpetrators of the coup which “greatly affect Niger’s supply of vital foodstuffs and medical supplies”, the World Food Program (WFP) warned on Wednesday. .
A new American ambassador in Niamey
Calls for a peaceful resolution to this crisis have multiplied in recent days, including among certain Western partners such as the United States, which announced on Wednesday that a new ambassador, Kathleen FitzGibbon, would soon be settling in Niamey.
“This is not a sign of a change in US policy but of their continued involvement” to find a diplomatic solution, however, said a spokesman for the State Department.
A visit to Chad
At the same time, the new Nigerien regime is also looking for allies in the region. On Tuesday, the prime minister appointed by the military in Niamey, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, traveled to N’Djamena where he was received by the Chadian transitional president Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.
For the first time, he said that his country was “in a process of transition”, without however specifying its duration before possible elections for a return to constitutional order. Chad announced last week that it would not participate in any military intervention alongside ECOWAS, to which it does not belong.
Neighboring Mali and Burkina, also led by soldiers who came to power through coups in 2020 and 2022, quickly showed their solidarity with the generals in Niamey.
The Inflexible Generals
The latter remain inflexible for the time being and have been holding deposed President Mohamed Bazoum prisoner since July 26, whom they intend to prosecute for “high treason”.
They believe that a military operation against their country would be an “illegal and senseless aggression” and have promised an “immediate response” to any aggression.