ECOWAS says a D-Day set for possible intervention in Niger

By Abia Noumbissi

The largest regional grouping in West Africa stated on Friday that it has decided on an unnamed “D-Day” for a potential military action to restore democracy in Niger should diplomatic attempts fail, adding that it would not engage in prolonged negotiations with the recalcitrant junta.

The remarks were made at the conclusion of a two-day conference of West African army leaders in Accra, Ghana, where they had been discussing the logistics and plan for a potential use of force in Niger. A final option, according to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is such action.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah declared during the ceremony’s conclusion, “We are ready to go whenever the order is given.” “The D-Day is also decided, but we won’t say what it is.”

Still giving dialogue a chance!

On the other hand, the leaders reaffirmed their preference for dialogue and hinted that ECOWAS would dispatch a diplomatic team to Niger on Saturday.

“Tomorrow there is the possibility of an ECOWAS mission going into Niger to continue to pursue the peaceful path to restoration of constitutional order.

“We are ready to resolve the issue peacefully, but it takes two to tango,” Musah said.

“If they want to take the peaceful pathway to the very early restoration of constitutional order then we are ready to stand down the military option,” he added. The new strongman of Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has been evading previous missions.

Second Day of Talks

This decision came as West African military chiefs held their second day of talks in Ghana today, to prepare for a possible armed intervention in Niger after coup leaders refused to comply with ECOWAS’ first round of demands to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. This also comes after the junta government announced that they would bring Bazoum to trial on charges of high treason on Monday, if found guilty he could face the death penalty.

Defense chiefs have agreed that military intervention is a “last resort to restore democracy”, while still hopeful to use democratic efforts in ongoing negotiations with coup leaders. the two-day meeting was primarily focused on the potential military operation to restore Bazoum to power.

“Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails the valiant forces of West Africa, both the military and the civilian components, are ready to answer to the call of duty,” Abdel-Fatau Musah, an ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs and security, told the meeting on Thursday.

A possible attack from multiple fronts

During a call to EU chief Charles Michel, the Nigerian leader, chair of the ECOWAS regional bloc which opposes the Niger coup, said: “President Bazoum’s detention conditions are deteriorating.” Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also weighed in saying that there will be “grave consequences” if the military regime allows his health to continue to worsen under house arrest, a European official said Friday.  Earlier this month Nigeria had already made its position clear notably cutting off electricity supply which accounts for more than 30% of Niger’s resources.

Members of ECOWAS are not the only countries preparing for possible intervention. The US has begun making the preparations to evacuate two key drones and counter-terror bases in the country, US Air Force for Africa Commander, Gen. James Hecker announced today. The US bases in Niger were focused on fighting al-Qaida and Islamic State-allied extremist groups in the Saharan and Sahel regions, two of the world’s most active areas for these groups. The preparations to evacuate would also include looking for US-allied nations “that we could maybe partner up with, and then move our assets there,” Gen. Hecker said in his briefing to reporters.

Risk of grave consequences for the region

Political Commentators have voiced concerns that actions by ECOWAS could cause greater conflict in the region. Especially considering that West African countries Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have already pledged their support for the new regime.

“An intervention could backfire and damage the organization in numerous ways, while a failure to extract major concessions from the [junta] could weaken the organization politically at an already fragile time.” Andrew Lebovich, a research fellow with Dutch think tank, the Clingendael Institute, said in an interview with AP.

Any decisions for military intervention could still also be overruled by the African Unions Peace and Security Council, which authorizes military deployments for “peace support missions.” The two-day meeting in Ghana is expected to conclude tonight with the defense chiefs announcing any next steps at the closing ceremony.