Threat of “use of force”
Neighboring countries put coup leaders in Niger ultimatum
7/30/2023, 9:18 p.m
Not only the former colonial power France is opposed to the coup in Niger. The neighboring countries are also demanding an immediate return to the constitutional order. Otherwise, the West African community of states Ecowas also wants to use violence against the putschists.
After the coup d’état in Niger, the international community threatened the putschists with intervention. The West African Economic Community (Ecowas) presented the self-declared rulers with an ultimatum and threatened the “use of force”. The former colonial power France announced in the face of thousands of demonstrators in front of its embassy in Niamey an “immediate and unrelenting” response should there be attacks on French citizens and facilities in the West African country.
After a top-level meeting in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, the Ecowas states issued a statement calling on the coup leaders in Niger to return power to the legitimate institutions within a week. In particular, the regional organization demanded the “immediate release” of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been arrested by the putschists, and the “full return to constitutional order”.
If these demands “are not met within a week”, Ecowas will “take all necessary measures,” the statement said. “These measures could also include the use of force.” At the same time, the economic community decided on sanctions against the self-declared new rulers in the West African country. The Ecowas states announced the suspension of “all trade and financial transactions with Niger” and the freezing of “assets of military officials involved in the attempted coup”.
Dictator from Chad should mediate
The head of the military junta in neighboring Chad also attended the crisis meeting. According to his government, he then traveled on to the Nigerien capital on his own initiative. General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno traveled to Niamey “to see what he can do to solve the crisis,” said a government spokesman, adding that he had not received a mandate from the Ecowas states. Chad is not a member of Ecowas.
Bazoum’s predecessor, former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, also offered to mediate. He is trying to find a negotiated solution to “free Bazoum and reinstate him,” Issoufou wrote on Twitter, which was renamed X.
Before the crisis meeting of the Ecowas states, the putschists for their part accused the economic community of planning a military intervention in the country. The aim of the Ecowas summit is “to adopt an aggression plan against Niger in the form of a threatened military intervention in Niamey,” the junta said on Saturday evening. Western nations are also involved in the plan.
Coup supporters wave Russian flags
Thousands of people demonstrated in the capital Niamey on Sunday for the new military rulers. Many people also waved Russian flags. The demonstrations should serve as a warning to both France and the Ecowas states not to interfere in what is happening in Niger. According to media reports, a protest in front of the French embassy in the capital Niamey sometimes turned violent.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that he would “not tolerate any attack against France and its interests”. Anyone who attacks French nationals must expect “an immediate and relentless response from France”. France supports “all regional initiatives” aimed at “restoring constitutional order” in the West African country and the return of detained President Bazoum.
On Wednesday, officers from General Omar Tchiani’s elite unit arrested the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and declared him ousted. Tchiani appointed himself the new ruler on Friday. Shortly after Tchiani took power as de facto president, the putschists suspended the West African country’s constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.