ECOWAS discusses alternatives for intervention in Niger

2023-08-12 17:23:11, Kosova & Bota CNA

West African leaders are discussing on Saturday possible alternatives to overturning a coup in Niger that has shocked the region but is widely supported in the country.

Niger's army jailed President Mohamed Bazoum last month and seized power, a move that was condemned by international powers and raised fears of further conflict in West Africa's impoverished Sahel region.

The ECOWAS regional bloc decided on Thursday to activate a task force involving troops from across the region on a possible military intervention to topple the coup.

At stake is not only the fate of Niger – a major uranium producer and key Western ally in the fight against Islamists – but also the concerns of global powers with key strategic interests in the region.

US, French, German and Italian troops have been deployed in Niger to push back local affiliates of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State that have killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel.

Western powers fear that Russian influence could be strengthened if the junta in Niger follows Mali's example by expelling Western troops and calling in mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group.

Thousands gathered in Niger's capital on Friday to demonstrate in favor of the coup. The rally began at a French military base in the capital Niamey, then protesters with banners and flags spread out into the surrounding streets. "Long live Russia, Down with France... Down with ECOWAS," read one protester's sign, referring to the Economic Community of West African States.

It is not yet clear how long the ECOWAS force would take to organize, how large it would be and whether it would actually intervene. The organization stressed that all options were on the table and that it hoped for a peaceful solution.

Security analysts say it could take weeks for the force to form, possibly leaving room for negotiations.

Meanwhile, the African Union, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations said they were increasingly concerned about the conditions of President Bazoum's detention.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said Friday that conditions were rapidly deteriorating and could constitute a violation of international human rights law./ VOA