The African Union decided to suspend Niger as a result of the last July 26 military coup and asked all its members to refrain from any action that could legitimize the coup junta “until constitutional order is effectively restored in the country”. However, the AU expressed its reservations about a possible military intervention by West African countries. The agency’s Peace and Security Council (CPS) said in a statement that West Africa’s regional organization, Ecowas, had “noted the decision to deploy a force” in Niger and asked the ‘Ua Commission’ to undertake it. an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of such deployment”.
Last month’s coup alarmed Western allies and democratic African states, fearing it would allow Islamist groups active in the Sahel region to expand their reach and give Russia a foothold to increase its influence. Ecowas tried to negotiate with the putschist junta, but said he was ready to send troops to Niger to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts failed. In its resolution, the EU Peace and Security Council reiterated its call for coup leaders to immediately release elected president Mohamed Bazoum, who has been imprisoned since the coup, and return to their barracks.
The putschists led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani imprisoned Bazoum and dissolved the elected government on July 26; it was the seventh coup in West and Central Africa in three years; The continent is already grappling with an Islamist rebellion. ECOWAS announced yesterday that they have so far resisted pressure for coup leaders to resign and have proposed a three-year timetable for holding elections. The AU also stated that it strongly denies any outside intervention in the situation by any actor or country outside of Africa, including the engagement of private military companies, with reference to the Russian mercenary group Wagner operating in nearby Mali.
After the meeting of the West African chiefs of staff in Accra, the capital of Ghana on Friday, the regional organization’s political affairs, peace and security commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah stated that “strategic objectives, necessary measures” were determined, as well as the “day of intervention”. equipment and commitment of member states”. Niger’s new dictator, General Tiani, said on Saturday, “If an attack is launched against us, it will not be as easy as some think.” Many countries, especially the United States, have called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
US, French, German and Italian troops are stationed in Niger as part of the fight against the long-running Islamist insurgency by local Al Qaeda and Islamic State militants that have killed thousands and displaced millions in the Niger region. The country, which borders Algeria and Libya, is also an important ally of the European Union in the fight against irregular migration, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, which is the center of flows from Nigeria to Algeria. Libya in hopes of going to Europe.
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Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
