ECOWAS orders deployment of its forces and authorizes military intervention in Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordered a deployment of the organization's "standby force" to Niger in an attempt to restore the constitutional order of that country.

The regional bloc's decision came at the end of an emergency summit held Thursday to evaluate the steps to be taken following the coup d'état perpetrated on July 26.

Until now, the countries have tried to prioritize the diplomatic route to reach a solution. However, ECOWAS had already warned of the possibility of military intervention in Niger because of the negative repercussions that the autocratic system could have in the region.

The organization even gave them an ultimatum and gave the coup plotters seven days to withdraw. However, after seeing no progress from the Nigerien military junta that seized power from President Mohamed Bazoum, the bloc stepped forward.

For the moment, no details were given as to how and when the military operation would begin. Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, insisted they continue prioritizing dialogue to get the coup leaders to relinquish power peacefully.

"In reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach," he said.

However, there does not seem to be much time left for dialogue since Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said that ECOWAS has already given the go-ahead for the intervention to begin "as soon as possible."

The bloc has intervened in the past in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Mali and Guinea-Bissau when its constitutional orders were threatened, so it would not be surprising if the organization were to go ahead with its intervention if Niger's military junta does not relent.

France supports the measure

The French government informed in a communiqué that, like ECOWAS, it condemns the attempted coup d'état in progress and assured that it supports the measures adopted by the international group.

"France affirms its full support for all the conclusions adopted on the occasion of this emergency summit of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on August 10, 2023," it said.