West Africa seems headed for further conflict as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it had directed a ‘standby force’ to restore Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum to power in the wake of the military coup in which he was imprisoned, and a junta was set up to rule the country.
While many of the details of the deployment were unclear, the force will reportedly consist of at least 5 000 troops led by Nigeria, with additional forces from Benin and Ivory Coast. The military juntas of Mali and Burkina Faso have promised to defend the junta in Niger in the event of an ECOWAS intervention.
Officials say the ‘standby force’ could be ready within weeks.
The African Union has expressed support for ECOWAS and called on the junta in Niger to halt escalation.
[Image: https://roarnews.co.uk/2023/deciphering-the-enigma-unveiling-the-implications-of-the-niger-coup/]