Sophia Johnson
Wed, Aug 9, 2023 11:20 AMCrisis in Niger: ECOWAS Unable to Meet with Junta
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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) confirmed that a planned meeting with the junta in Niger was rejected by the military authorities. The meeting was an effort to seek a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis in Niger, where a coup d'état took place on July 26. ECOWAS has been considering military intervention if the junta does not return power to the deposed president. The junta dismissed the mission, calling it "useless" and criticized the financial and trade sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. Meanwhile, neighboring countries are divided on possible military action.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) confirmed that it was unable to meet with the junta in Niger on Tuesday. The meeting, which was intended to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis, was rejected by the military authorities. The junta, known as the National Council for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), dismissed the mission as "useless" since they believe their position is already known.
ECOWAS, along with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), had reached out to the junta to negotiate its withdrawal and the restoration of power to the deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum. However, the military authorities in Niger sent a statement late at night stating that they could not receive the tripartite delegation.
The cancellation of the mission is a setback for the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. ECOWAS has been considering military intervention if the junta does not heed its ultimatum to return power to Bazoum, which expired on Sunday. The bloc of West African countries has also imposed financial and trade sanctions on Niger and threatened military action.
In response to the sanctions and threats, the CNSP has strengthened its military presence, closed the airspace, and warned that any use of force against them would receive an "instant and vigorous" response.
The impasse has resulted in a divide among African countries. Nigeria, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal have expressed their readiness to intervene militarily in Niger. On the other hand, Mali and Burkina Faso, which are ruled by military juntas and have close ties to Moscow, oppose military intervention, arguing that it would be a declaration of war against them as well.
The coup d'état in Niger was led by the CNSP on July 26. The junta announced the removal of President Bazoum, the suspension of institutions, the closure of borders (which have since been reopened), and a nightly curfew until further notice. Niger has now become the fourth West African country to be led by a military junta, following Mali, Guinea-Conakry, and Burkina Faso, which have all experienced coup d'états between 2020 and 2022.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-09 News
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