The military government in Niger is showing a tough stance against the possibility of ECOWAS intervention in this West African country.
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| Niger's military government has deployed elite forces to the presidential palace and airport. (Source: AP) |
On August 8, according to an official letter published by AFP , Niger's coup leaders refused to accept a proposed mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niamey for "security" reasons.
On the same day, Al Arabiya (Saudi Arabia) reported that elite units of the Nigerien armed forces were being deployed to the airport and presidential palace in the capital Niamey. However, the TV station did not provide any further details, nor did it specify the number of soldiers deployed.
In neighboring Nigeria, on the same day, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, spokesman for the President of Nigeria , said that Abuja had imposed new financial sanctions on Niger through the Central Bank of Nigeria, targeting organizations and individuals involved in the military coup.
According to him, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu “has affirmed that diplomacy is the best way forward. He and his colleagues in ECOWAS want a solution achieved through diplomatic means, through peaceful means rather than any other solution”.
Meanwhile, commenting on the situation in Niger, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: “We remain hopeful, but we are also very realistic. We hope the situation will be reversed.
At the same time, we also want to make clear, including in direct dialogue with the leaders of the military government, the consequences of not returning to constitutional order.”
Mr. Miller “regretted” that the military government in Niger refused to receive the ECOWAS delegation and affirmed that the US would continue to work to restore the situation.
Also on August 8, answering the BBC (UK), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned: "I think what has happened and is happening in Niger is not instigated by Russia or Wagner. But the fact that this force (Wagner) tries to take advantage of the situation to some extent and repeats what has happened in other countries, it will not be good."
Previously, on August 7, US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland made an unannounced visit to Niger to promote the release of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum.
Acknowledging that negotiations are difficult, US officials said military leaders here clearly understand the “risks” of cooperating with Wagner.
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