During the second day of their meeting in Ghana, defence chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) engaged in sustained discussions regarding the potential military intervention in Niger Republic. The discussions center on the mandate given by ECOWAS leaders to restore civil rule in the country and reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The outcome of their deliberations at the end of Friday’s meeting is being keenly anticipated across the West African sub-region. This meeting is a significant response to the orders of ECOWAS leaders, who had convened in Abuja and directed the deployment of a Standby Force to Niger Republic. The mandate of this force is to facilitate the restoration of democracy in the country and the reinstatement of President Bazoum.
While there is a prevailing call for intervention, there have been concerns and warnings voiced in Nigeria against a potential military invasion of Niger Republic by ECOWAS forces. In particular, caution has been directed toward Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, urging him to resist foreign pressures and the temptation to approve a military intervention. The potential repercussions of war in the neighboring country have been highlighted.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, emphasized the commitment to democracy and stability. He stated, “Democracy is what we stand for and it’s what we encourage. The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promotes stability.”
The ongoing discussions underscore ECOWAS’s efforts to address the political situation in Niger Republic while carefully considering the potential outcomes of military intervention.
