The West African Community (ECOWAS) announced at the end of its chiefs of forces meetings in the Ghanaian capital Accra that it had agreed on a plan and date for a possible military intervention in Niger, but made it clear that it would not do so. Enter an avoidable battle.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdelfattah Moussa, said in a press conference this evening, Friday, following the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff, “The decision has been taken on the exact day of the military intervention in Niger, but we will not announce it.”

Moussa explained that the Chiefs of Staff have agreed on the need for military intervention in Niger, stressing that countries of the group are ready to act whenever the order is given.

“The military option is not our preferred option, but we are forced to do so because of the instability of the military group in Niger.”

Moussa insisted that ECOWAS “will not engage in an avoidable war” and could withdraw the military option, noting that the group had discussed the potential humanitarian problems of any military intervention in Niger.

The ECOWAS commissioner indicated that if the group intervenes militarily, it will not declare war on Niger, stressing that any intervention is short-term and aimed at restoring constitutional order.

For two days, military leaders discussed ways to return to power Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bassum, who was ousted in a July 26 coup.

The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security said in a previous report that all member states – except those under military rule (Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea) and Cape Verde State – were ready to participate in the military. Reserve force, which may be stationed in Niger.

Western approval

The US State Department announced on Thursday that it supports ECOWAS’ efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger, including military intervention as a last resort.

The French foreign ministry announced that it is “coordinating closely with Washington, we share the goal of restoring constitutional and democratic order in Niger.”

Washington is looking for allies in the region if it is forced to withdraw its forces from Niger, the “Politico” news site reported today, citing a senior US military official.

While the US has about 1,100 soldiers fighting armed groups in Niger, France has about 1,500.

On the other hand, the EU and Nigeria on Friday warned of “severe consequences” if the health of President Muhammadu Bassum, who has been detained since the coup, worsens.

A spokesman for Council of Europe president Charles Michel cited a phone conversation with Nigeria’s President Paula Ahmed Tinubu – the rotating head of ECOWAS – saying: “The democratically elected president Bassum is still the legitimate president of Niger. His detention conditions are deteriorating and further deterioration of his health will lead to consequences.” Dangerous.

“The Nigerian President assured ECOWAS of its determination and political will to act together. ECOWAS will continue to impose its sanctions despite economic setbacks for some countries in the region,” the spokesman added.

Michel affirmed “the EU’s full support for the decisions of ECOWAS and its firm condemnation of the unacceptable military coup in Niger”.

He said the European Union would not recognize the authorities emerging from the coup in Niger and that Bassum was still the legitimate head of state.

After the July 26 coup, Basoom has been detained in the official presidential residence with members of his family, and coup leaders have confirmed that he is doing well and that his doctor is visiting him, but they have announced that they want to examine him. Charges of treason and undermining national security.

International Review

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Dürk, said today Friday that the military junta in Niger has no legal basis to prosecute the ousted president on charges of treason.

“This decision is not only politically motivated against a democratically elected president, but has no legal basis as the normal functioning of democratic institutions is thrown out,” Turk said in a statement.

“The very idea of ​​freedom in Niger is at stake…Generals should not override the will of the people as a matter of course. Rule by arms has no place in today’s world,” he said.

Turk, who called for Bassum’s immediate release, was deeply concerned about the Nigerian coup. This is the sixth coup in the region in the past three years.