ECOWAS Force Ready to Invade Niger: What to Note

Soldiers from the Economic Community of West African States have expressed their readiness to engage as a standby force, prepared to intervene in the Republic of Niger if necessary.

Following the seizure of power by the coup leaders from President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS issued a 7-day ultimatum to the military, urging them to reinstate the president or face potential sanctions, which may include the prospect of military intervention.

Al Jazeera reported that during a gathering in Accra, the capital of Ghana, defense leaders affirmed their readiness to restore democratic governance in Niger.

ECOWAS defence chiefs conference and jihadist insurgencies

The assembly of ECOWAS defence chiefs initially commenced their conference in Ghana on Thursday. The summit in Accra, held on both Thursday and Friday, followed a recent surge of violence in Niger. Jihadists conducted an ambush resulting in the tragic demise of at least 17 soldiers, as confirmed by the defense ministry.

Furthermore, twenty additional soldiers sustained injuries, with six in critical condition. These casualties mark the most substantial losses since the coup on July 26. During the aforementioned coup, the presidential guard overtook Bazoum, leading to his detainment alongside his family.

For over ten years, the Sahel region of Africa has been ensnared by jihadist insurgencies, which first emerged in northern Mali in 2012 and later extended to neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015.

Throughout the area, this turmoil has resulted in the loss of numerous military personnel, police officers, and civilians, compelling millions to abandon their residences.

The outrage over the bloodshed has ignited military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020, with Niger being the most recent to experience such an upheaval.

Experts suggest that any potential ECOWAS intervention against the leaders of the coup in Niger would carry both military and political risks. The regional bloc has asserted its inclination towards a diplomatic resolution.