The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Niger Republic‘s military junta to allow democracy to flourish in the country.
On July 26, a faction of soldiers deposed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, resulting in the country’s fifth coup.
Regional leaders under ECOWAS have made little progress in restoring constitutional order in the country.
ECOWAS announced last week that it had begun activating its standby force in Niger Republic. This came after the military junta defied the bloc’s deadline to relinquish power.
After meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by former President Abdulsalami Abubakar, Abdourahamane Tiani, the military leader, stated that the country would return to civilian rule within three years.
However, ECOWAS rejected the proposed transition plan, stating that the sub-region would no longer accept such lengthy periods.
Omar Alieu Touray, president of the ECOWAS commission, told reporters on Friday that the bloc is determined to prevent coups in the region from becoming a habit.
Touray urged the Niger junta to reconsider its position, adding that military intervention is still an option.
He said:
“Even now, it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason. The regional leaders will not condone a coup d’etat,” Touray said.
“The real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coup d’etat in the region.”
The ECOWAS commission president pointed out that military intervention is not a declaration of war or an “invasion”.
He added that such intervention would be a legitimate force allowed under ECOWAS statutes agreed by members.
“The instruments include the use of force. So it is very much on the table, as are other measures we are working on,” he said.
“If peaceful means fail, ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands.”
Abdulsalami had assured that diplomatic interventions to restore constitutional order in Niger would succeed.