The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has pledged that it will not wage war against Niger, according to Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa, the organization’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAPS).
He claimed that they are actually at war with the junta that masterminded the coup.
Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa responded, “In the planning of this mission, all those concerns have been taken into account,” when asked if ECOWAS had considered the potential effects of sending troops to Niger as part of efforts to restore constitutional democracy. There are roughly 700,000 Nigerian citizens and refugees in Niger, and we are well aware of it. We are talking about the Ghanaian citizens that are present. There are also other West African nationals. The idea of reverse refugee flows leaving the country has also been considered.
“But, let me reassure you that we are aiming to wage war against the CNSP dictatorship, not Niger. We are adamant that the CNSP junta is the only legitimate government.
ECOWAS has consistently stated that military action will be the last resort, according to Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa.
He asserted that “you, the media, are essentially sounding the war drums.”
“Ecowas has consistently stated that we will use every tool in our disposal, right up until the very end of this crisis.
We demand the release of President Bazoum and his family, and we beg the junta CNSP to reinstate the rule of law, but all of our requests have fallen on deaf ears.
He claimed that military action would not be an option if the junta was willing to engage the bloc in discussion.
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of Ecowas encouraged member states to mobilize a stand-by force in order to restore constitutional order in Niger on Thursday, August 10 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. Musa claims that the decision was made in response to the CNSP, under the direction of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, rejecting two Ecowas missions.
Ecowas, he claimed, has consistently attempted to engage in conversation, but the junta has rejected all of that.
“All these steps have been taken, but we are still pleading with them to open the diplomatic channel and give peace a chance.
“They are not being turned away by us. They are essentially closing the door on us.
He said that the junta had finally consented to host an Ecowas mission on Saturday in order to launch peace negotiations.
