Niger is still plunged into the unknown. The ECOWAS ultimatum expires tomorrow, Sunday August 6th. Member States are preparing for a possible military intervention in the country. For three days and until yesterday, Friday, the chiefs of staff met in Abuja, Nigeria, to define the profile of a “possible intervention” armed.
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He seems the force is ready. It is in fact the waiting force, validated last December, at the conference of heads of state of ECOWAS. A contingent initially designed for peacekeeping and the fight against terrorism, but in the case of Niger, these soldiers should have a robust mandate, therefore including the use of force, with authorized offensive actions.
The device must pass by land, sea and air, although, according to a participant, field operations could be rather targeted at first.
This Saturday, August 5, each Chief of Staff present in Abuja must present the intervention plan to the President of his country because, let us remember, it is the Heads of State who will decide, in the end, to trigger the operation.
Major role of Nigeria
Concerning the military means and the number of soldiers who could be sent, it is the domain of defense secrecy, for the moment. However, Nigeria should have a major role in the operation and could take command.
Côte d’Ivoire would also be an essential force even if, according to a good source, ” Abidjan hopes until the last minute for an amicable solution with the Nigerien putschists.
Benin and Senegal would also participate and the list could grow. That being said, this operation is not necessarily unanimous. Although it does not belong to the sub-regional organization, Chad says it will not send any soldiers to Niger.
“Chad will never intervene militarily in Niger”
Chad, a major African military power and neighboring country of Niger, has indicated that it will not participate in any intervention. “ Chad will never intervene militarily. We have always advocated dialogue. Chad is a facilitator “, declared, Friday August 4, Daoud Yaya Brahim, the Minister of the Armies of Chad, a country which is not a member of ECOWAS.
“ No, Chad will never intervene militarily, for many reasons. Our president was appointed by his ECOWAS brothers to bring President Bazoum and the putschists together, and he went there, of course, and we have always advocated dialogue between them. Chad has never sought to intervene in Niger and we will never intervene militarily. We favor dialogue. Let stability return to Niger, let the Nigeriens themselves feel that the danger is imminent, and it is up to them to find the problem. Chad is a facilitator “, said Daoud Yaya Brahim, Chadian Minister for the Armed Forces.
Daoud Yaya Brahim, Minister of the Armed Forces of Chad
Algeria, too, opposes any armed operation. His Foreign Office believes that would be an option. unhappy “. Algiers warns and calls “ with caution and restraint because this intervention could actually complicate and aggravate the current crisis.
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