Meanwhile, coup groups in Niger told US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland that they would kill President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, whom they had recently ousted, if the neighboring country intervened militarily.
This information was given by two western officials AP ECOWAS announced its decision to deploy backup forces “to restore democracy in Niger”.
Streets of the capital Niamey-Niger on August 8 ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of State meeting on August 10 – Photo: AP
A US official also confirmed the information and requested anonymity because the person is not authorized to speak to the media.
theo euronewsECOWAS did not give details about the composition, location and expected date of deployment of any military intervention force until after a meeting on 10 August in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Leaders of West African countries pose for a photo before the start of the ECOWAS meeting in Abuja – Nigeria on August 10 – Photo: AP
The closed-door meeting was attended by nine heads of state from the 15-member bloc, including the presidents of Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Non-ECOWAS leaders from Mauritania and Burundi also attended.
ECOWAS committee chairman Omar Aliu Touré said he could only “confirm the decision by the military authorities in the subregion to deploy a community reserve force.”
Mr Toure also said that financial issues were discussed and positive steps were taken.
theo APThe new threat to the ousted president raises risks for both ECOWAS and the Niger coup faction, which has shown a willingness to step up action.
Anneliese Bernard, a former State Department official specializing in African affairs and now director of the risk advisory group Strategic Stability Advisors, said threats from both sides have raised tensions. But it also offers hope that it will get them closer to real talks.
But they worry that the escalating violence could prompt coup groups to take more drastic steps.
According to the latest information, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum is still being kept at his home.
