ECOWAS military chiefs to meet Thursday, Friday in Ghana over Niger intervention

Military chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will converge in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to discuss a potential military intervention in Niger.

Amos Lungu, a spokesperson for the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, confirmed that a summit which was earlier billed to take place last weekend would be held in Accra on Thursday (tomorrow) and Friday.

There was no explanation given for the sudden delay.

Recall that the regional West African leaders approved the activation of a standby military force to restore civilian authority in Niger.

The ECOWAS leaders said they remain open to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis, but Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday in a summit in Abuja that “No option is taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort.”

This follows a military coup led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, who declared himself the head of a transitional government after President Mohamed Bazoum was removed from power by a military intervention on July 26.

Earlier in the week, the junta said it would prosecute Mr. Bazoum for high treason over his alliance with foreign heads of state and international organisations.

The United States, United Nations and West African leaders criticised the move, describing it as an indication that the junta is unwilling to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis.