In the event that diplomatic attempts fail, the Defense Chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States have decided on a “D-day” for a potential military intervention to restore civil government in Niger.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, reportedly made this statement on Friday without mentioning the date of the D-Day.
The source made the remarks at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of West African army chiefs in Accra, the capital of Ghana, where they were discussing the logistics and tactics for what ECOWAS has stated would be a last-ditch use of force in Niger.
Following the overthrow and detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by generals, the soldiers of ECOWAS on Thursday expressed their willingness to take part in a standby force that would bring democracy back to the country.
At a conference on Thursday in Accra, Ghana’s capital, all member states, with the exception of those under military rule and Cape Verde, decided to launch a “standby force” as a last resort to reestablish democracy in Niger.
In order to finalize the specifics of a future military operation to restore Bazoum if ongoing negotiations with the coup the leaders fail, ECOWAS defense chiefs met in Ghana’s capital city of Accra for two days.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day meeting, Musah as quoted by Reuters said “We are ready to go anytime the order is given.
“The D-Day is also decided.
“We’ve already agreed and fine-tuned what will be required for the intervention.”
Musah stated, “As we speak, we are still preparing (a) mediation mission into the country, so we have not shut any doors,” indicating that the community was still attempting to interact with the junta peacefully.
President Muhammad Bazoum was detained by Presidential Guard agents on July 26 and subsequently judged to be ineligible for office.
On July 30, ECOWAS, headed by Nigerian Tinubu, resolved to impose sanctions on the Nigerian military members and handed the military junta one week to reinstate Bazoum as president.
ECOWAS also issued a one-week deadline for the restoration of constitutional order and halted financial transactions with Niger. Additionally, it froze “all service transactions, including energy transactions.”
A three-person ECOWAS mission was sent to Niger on August 3 to break the country’s present political impasse, however their efforts were fruitless.
On August 10, after the one-week deadline had passed, West African leaders got together and decided to create a “standby force” to bring back elected Bazoum.
