Niger/ Coup: The decisions of the Chiefs of staff meeting are awaited
An ECOWAS chiefs of staff meeting has been underway in Accra, Ghana, since Thursday. It ends this Friday, and its decisions are eagerly awaited by the people of Niger and the entire West African community.
For Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, the aim of the meeting is to maintain peace and stability throughout the region.
«We must remember that our collective actions today will shape the legacy we leave for future generations», he said.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS commissioner, warned that no option was off the table. He called on the junta to withdraw to avoid military intervention.
While calling for a peaceful outcome, this subregional Organization has decided to activate an intervention force to restore constitutional order’ in Niger. the issue is currently being discussed at that ECOWAS chiefs of staff meeting
And it is demanding the release of the deposed president.
There are a number of obstacles to military intervention. These include divisions within ECOWAS, with Cape Verde officially opposed to the armed option. Opposition has also been voiced by Nigerian senators.
Abuja, however, is leading the “camp” in favour of military intervention. Does ECOWAS have the resources for a military intervention?
The junta, which has popular support, says it is ready to retaliate in the event of an attack it considers coercive and illegal.
It has besides deployed security forces along Niger’s borders with Benin and Nigeria.
Fayçal BADIE
