2023-08-10 17:07:51
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu (center front row) and other leaders of ECOWAS member states on August 10, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria. GBEMIGA OLAMIKAN / AP
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordered, Thursday, August 10, at the end of its summit in Abuja, Nigeria, “immediate activation” of its intervention force with a view to “restore constitutional order” after the July 26 coup in Niger. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stressed on Thursday that no option had been ruled out to ensure a rapid return to constitutional order in Niger, including the use of force as a last resort.
ECOWAS added, however, that it favored a peaceful resolution of the crisis and that no option that would achieve this result had been ruled out.
Later in the evening, the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, repeated that the West African heads of state had given their agreement for a military operation “start as soon as possible” to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Alassane Ouattara specified that Côte d’Ivoire would provide “one battalion” from 850 to 1,100 men, alongside Nigeria and Benin in particular, and that ” other countries “ will join them. “The putschists can decide to leave tomorrow morning and there will be no military intervention, everything depends on them”he hammered, adding: “We are determined to reinstall President Bazoum in his functions. »
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Since placing President Mohamed Bazoum under house arrest on July 26, the junta has rejected several attempts at mediation and ignored an ultimatum from ECOWAS, which threatened to intervene militarily to restore democracy, even if this operation is presented as an last resort, as President Tinubu confirmed on Thursday.
“In reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial to prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue which are the pillars of our approach”he said.
Concern over the fate of the president of Niger
In Niamey, Mahamane Roufai Laouali, presented as the general secretary of the government, announced the appointment of a cabinet made up of twenty-one ministers. Soldiers have been appointed to the posts of ministers of defense and interior. Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, appointed prime minister, holds the finance portfolio.
At the same time, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, expressed his concern about the conditions of detention of Mohamed Bazoum and his family, detained in the presidential residence without running water or electricity and deprived of fresh food for several days. ” The Secretary General (…) calls once again for the immediate and unconditional release [de Mohamed Bazoum] and his reinstatement as Head of State.said a UN spokesman.
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