Military intervention in Niger: ECOWAS states that the meeting in Accra among army chiefs is aimed at concluding arrangements for the Standby Force’s deployment.

Military leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are scheduled to convene a crucial meeting in Accra, Ghana, spanning Thursday and Friday. This gathering occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding the prospect of a potential military intervention in Niger. Ghana’s army spokesperson has confirmed this development.

The contemplation of a military intervention stemmed from ECOWAS member states in response to the coup in Niger. This led to a directive from the bloc’s heads of state, mandating the preparation of a military force poised to reinstate constitutional order, as discussed during a special summit. However, the leaders simultaneously emphasized their commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

The forthcoming meeting in Accra holds substantial significance as it allows military chiefs to deliberate on the most effective strategies, potential courses of action, and contingency plans pertaining to the situation in Niger. This display of cohesive collaboration within ECOWAS underscores the regional commitment to preserving stability and fostering peaceful resolutions to crises, while also highlighting the organization’s readiness to take decisive action when necessary.

Merely a week after the coup in Niger unfolded, the defence ministers and military leaders of ECOWAS convened a consequential meeting. During this crucial assembly, they not only issued a resolute ultimatum directed towards the instigators of the coup but also meticulously formulated deployment strategies. This swift response underscores the collective determination of ECOWAS to swiftly address the crisis, highlighting their commitment to restoring stability and upholding constitutional order within the region.

Among the 15 member states of ECOWAS, a coalition comprising Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin, and Guinea-Bissau has boldly pledged their readiness to deploy troops in the event of an intervention.

In contrast, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea—countries that had faced their own suspensions from ECOWAS due to previous coups—are now aligning themselves with Niger’s junta, showing their intent to provide military support should an intervention materialize.

Niger, home to approximately 26 million inhabitants and one of the world’s most economically disadvantaged populations, was, until the coup, a steadfast democratic partner for both the United States and Europe within the Sahel region, situated on the southern fringes of the Sahara Desert.

The coup’s aftermath has plunged the entire region into a profound political quagmire, sparking a complex crisis with far-reaching implications.

The geopolitical landscape surrounding Niger is further accentuated by its significance to former colonial power France and the United States, both of which maintain vital military installations within the country. Notably, Niger occupies a strategic position along a critical migration corridor to Europe.

The turning point transpired on July 26, when the military forcibly ousted the president, thereby suspending the constitution. Subsequently, the coup leaders have established their own transitional government, ushering in a period of uncertainty and transformation that reverberates throughout the region.