https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230806/history-of-ecowas-military-interventions-in-light-of-expiring-ultimatum-to-niger-1061107707.html
History of ECOWAS Military Interventions in Light of Expiring Ultimatum to Niger
History of ECOWAS Military Interventions in Light of Expiring Ultimatum to Niger
Sputnik Africa
Following the recent military coup in Niger in which the presidential guard overthrew and detained President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, leaders of the Economic... 06.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-06T15:31+0200
2023-08-06T15:31+0200
2023-08-11T12:14+0200
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An ultimatum by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to leaders of the so-called National Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CNRD) to return power in Niger to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is due to expire on Sunday.On July 30, following an extraordinary summit on the situation in Niger, ECOWAS leaders demanded the "immediate release and reinstatement" of the elected Bazoum, who has been detained by the military since July 26. ECOWAS likewise demanded the full restoration of constitutional order in the country.The bloc has already imposed several economic and financial sanctions on the military leaders and the country, including freezing "all commercial and financial transactions" between ECOWAS member states and Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world and often ranked last on the UN's Human Development Index.The imposed sanctions also included closing borders with Niger, banning commercial flights, freezing national assets and cutting off aid. Nigeria announced that it would cut off electricity to Niger as part of the sanctions.Meanwhile, chiefs of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), the bloc's military arm, held a three-day meeting to outline the contours of a possible military operation, which the bloc said would be used only as a last resort. However, ECOMOG did not provide details of the possible military intervention, nor did it give a timeframe for its launch.The CNRD, led by the head of Niger's presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, rejected the ultimatum and accused ECOWAS of plotting an "aggression" against Niger in collaboration with other African countries and Western powers. It vowed to respond "immediately" to any military action by the bloc.It's worth noting that a number of members of the 15-nation regional bloc have since opposed military intervention in Niger, with some arguing that such a move would be a "declaration of war." Countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Guinea have made it clear that they would not send troops to Niger as part of the possible ECOWAS operation.With the ECOWAS ultimatum, the latest in a series of diplomatic and economic pressures the bloc has brought to bear on Niger's coup leaders, is set to expire this Sunday. Could this lead to a military intervention? Sputnik Africa has prepared a review of the history of ECOWAS military interventions in its region.ECOWAS Military InterventionsThe bloc has a history of successful military interventions to restore constitutional order within its region. It’s military arm, ECOMOG, was formed in 1990 to regularly intervene in conflicts within West Africa. Some of its notable interventions include:Liberia (1990-1996)ECOMOG intervened in the Liberian civil war that broke out in 1989 when rebel leader Charles Taylor, who later became the country's president from 1997 to 2003, launched an armed rebellion against the government of Samuel Doe.ECOMOG deployed about 3,000 troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Gambia to restore peace and stability in Liberia. The troops faced resistance from various rebel factions and were accused of human rights violations and partiality. However, ECOMOG also facilitated several peace agreements and elections that eventually led to the end of the war in 1996.Sierra Leone (1997-2000)ECOMOG intervened in the Sierra Leonean civil war that erupted in 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a rebel group backed by Liberia's Charles Taylor, started a campaign of violence against the government and civilians.In 1997, a military coup overthrew the elected president Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and installed Major Johnny Paul Koroma as the head of state. ECOMOG, led by Nigerian troops, moved some of its forces from Liberia to Sierra Leone to reinstate Kabbah and fight against the RUF and the junta. ECOMOG recaptured the capital Freetown in 1998 and restored Kabbah to power. ECOMOG also supported a UN peacekeeping mission that was deployed in 1999 to monitor a ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebels.Guinea-Bissau (1999)The Guinea-Bissau civil war started in 1998 when a group of army officers led by Ansumane Mane attempted to overthrow President Joao Bernardo Vieira. The coup was resisted by loyalist forces backed by troops from Senegal and Guinea, who intervened at Vieira's request. The conflict escalated into a regional crisis that threatened the stability of ECOWAS. In 1999, ECOWAS brokered a peace deal that called for a national unity government, new elections, and the withdrawal of foreign troops. ECOMOG deployed a small force to monitor the ceasefire and facilitate the implementation of the agreement.Cote d'Ivoire (2002-2011)A failed coup attempt by rebel soldiers sparked a rebellion that split the country into two regions in the Ivorian civil war that began in 2002: the north controlled by the rebels and the south loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo. ECOWAS mediated several peace talks and deployed a force of about 1,500 troops from Senegal, Ghana, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Mali to support a French-led operation that aimed to enforce a ceasefire and protect civilians. ECOMOG also assisted a UN peacekeeping mission that was established in 2004 to supervise the disarmament and reconciliation process.The conflict ended in 2011 after a disputed presidential election triggered a violent standoff between Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara, who was recognized as the winner by ECOWAS, the UN, and most of the international community. After months of diplomatic pressure and military intervention by France and UN forces, Gbagbo was captured and Ouattara was inaugurated as president.Mali (2013)ECOWAS intervened in Mali following a coup in 2012 that toppled President Amadou Toumani Toure and allowed Islamist rebels to seize control of the northern part of the country. The bloc led the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) to support the Malian government in the fight against the rebels. The mission was authorized by a UN Security Council resolution and its initial mandate was one year.The intervention was launched after an unexpected advance by the rebel forces in early January 2013 and the subsequent French intervention. The AFISMA forces consisted of troops from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, and other African countries. The mission was aimed to support the Malian government in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as facilitating humanitarian assistance and human rights protection.The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation in Mali (MINUSMA) subsequently replaced AFISMA.The Gambia (2017)ECOWAS intervened in The Gambia following a political crisis that emerged after longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh refused to accept his defeat in the 2016 presidential election by Adama Barrow. The organization imposed sanctions and issued an ultimatum to Jammeh to step down or face military action. On January 19, 2017, Barrow was sworn in as president at The Gambian embassy in Senegal, while ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) troops from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, and Togo entered The Gambia to enforce his legitimacy. As ECOMIG forces approached the capital Banjul, Jammeh agreed to relinquish power and go into exile. ECOMIG remained in The Gambia to secure peace and stability for Barrow’s administration.
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History of ECOWAS Military Interventions in Light of Expiring Ultimatum to Niger
15:31 06.08.2023 (Updated: 12:14 11.08.2023) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Following the recent military coup in Niger in which the presidential guard overthrew and detained President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) proposed a military action plan against the organizers. ECOWAS gave Niger's military one week to hand over power.
An
ultimatum by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to leaders of the so-called National Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CNRD) to return power in Niger to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is due to expire on Sunday.
On July 30, following an extraordinary summit on the situation in Niger, ECOWAS leaders demanded the "immediate release and reinstatement" of the elected Bazoum, who has been detained by the military since July 26. ECOWAS likewise demanded the full restoration of constitutional order in the country.
"In the event the authorities' demands are not met within one week, [ECOWAS will] take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately," a communique from the meeting emphasized.
The bloc has already imposed several economic and
financial sanctions on the military leaders and the country, including freezing "all commercial and financial transactions" between ECOWAS member states and Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world and often ranked last on the UN's Human Development Index.
The imposed sanctions also included closing borders with Niger, banning commercial flights, freezing national assets and cutting off aid. Nigeria announced that it would cut off electricity to Niger as part of the sanctions.
Meanwhile, chiefs of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (
ECOMOG), the bloc's military arm, held a three-day meeting to outline the contours of a possible military operation, which the bloc said would be used only as a last resort. However, ECOMOG did not provide details of the possible military intervention, nor did it give a timeframe for its launch.
The CNRD, led by the head of Niger's presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, rejected the ultimatum and accused ECOWAS of plotting an "aggression" against Niger in collaboration with other African countries and Western powers. It vowed to
respond "immediately" to any military action by the bloc.
It's worth noting that a number of members of the 15-nation regional bloc have since opposed military intervention in Niger, with some arguing that such a move would be a "
declaration of war." Countries such as
Mali, Burkina Faso,
Chad, and
Guinea have made it clear that they would not send troops to Niger as part of the possible ECOWAS operation.
With the ECOWAS ultimatum, the latest in a series of diplomatic and economic pressures the bloc has brought to bear on Niger's coup leaders, is set to expire this Sunday.
Could this lead to a military intervention? Sputnik Africa has prepared a review of the history of ECOWAS military interventions in its region.
ECOWAS Military Interventions
The bloc has a history of successful military interventions to restore constitutional order within its region. It’s military arm, ECOMOG, was formed in 1990 to regularly intervene in conflicts within West Africa. Some of its notable interventions include:
ECOMOG intervened in the Liberian civil war that broke out in 1989 when rebel leader Charles Taylor, who later became the country's president from 1997 to 2003, launched an armed rebellion against the government of Samuel Doe.
ECOMOG deployed about 3,000 troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Gambia to restore peace and stability in Liberia. The troops faced resistance from various rebel factions and were accused of human rights violations and partiality.
However, ECOMOG also facilitated several peace agreements and elections that eventually led to the end of the war in 1996.
ECOMOG intervened in the Sierra Leonean civil war that erupted in 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a rebel group backed by Liberia's Charles Taylor, started a campaign of violence against the government and civilians.
In 1997, a military coup overthrew the elected president Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and installed Major Johnny Paul Koroma as the head of state. ECOMOG, led by Nigerian troops, moved some of its forces from Liberia to Sierra Leone to reinstate Kabbah and fight against the RUF and the junta.
ECOMOG recaptured the capital Freetown in 1998 and restored Kabbah to power. ECOMOG also supported a UN peacekeeping mission that was deployed in 1999 to monitor a ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebels.
The Guinea-Bissau civil war started in 1998 when a group of army officers led by Ansumane Mane attempted to overthrow President Joao Bernardo Vieira.
The coup was resisted by loyalist forces backed by troops from Senegal and Guinea, who intervened at Vieira's request. The conflict escalated into a regional crisis that threatened the stability of ECOWAS.
In 1999, ECOWAS brokered a peace deal that called for a national unity government, new elections, and the withdrawal of foreign troops. ECOMOG deployed a small force to monitor the ceasefire and facilitate the implementation of the agreement.
Cote d'Ivoire (2002-2011)
A failed coup attempt by rebel soldiers sparked a rebellion that split the country into two regions in the Ivorian civil war that began in 2002: the north controlled by the rebels and the south loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo.
ECOWAS mediated several peace talks and deployed a force of about 1,500 troops from Senegal, Ghana, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Mali to support a French-led operation that aimed to enforce a ceasefire and protect civilians. ECOMOG also assisted a UN peacekeeping mission that was established in 2004 to supervise the disarmament and reconciliation process.
The conflict ended in 2011 after a disputed presidential election triggered a violent standoff between Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara, who was recognized as the winner by ECOWAS, the UN, and most of the international community. After months of diplomatic pressure and military intervention by France and UN forces, Gbagbo was captured and Ouattara was inaugurated as president.
ECOWAS intervened in Mali following a coup in 2012 that toppled President Amadou Toumani Toure and allowed Islamist rebels to seize control of the northern part of the country.
The bloc led the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) to support the Malian government in the fight against the rebels. The mission was authorized by a UN Security Council resolution and its initial mandate was one year.
The intervention was launched after an unexpected advance by the rebel forces in early January 2013 and the subsequent French intervention. The AFISMA forces consisted of troops from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, and other African countries.
The mission was aimed to support the Malian government in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as facilitating humanitarian assistance and human rights protection.
The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation in Mali (MINUSMA) subsequently replaced AFISMA.
ECOWAS intervened in The Gambia following a political crisis that emerged after longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh refused to accept his defeat in the 2016 presidential election by Adama Barrow.
The organization imposed sanctions and issued an ultimatum to Jammeh to step down or face military action. On January 19, 2017, Barrow was sworn in as president at The Gambian embassy in Senegal, while ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) troops from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, and Togo entered The Gambia to enforce his legitimacy.
As ECOMIG forces approached the capital Banjul, Jammeh agreed to relinquish power and go into exile. ECOMIG remained in The Gambia to secure peace and stability for Barrow’s administration.
As the deadline for the ultimatum to Niger approaches, it remains unclear whether ECOWAS will follow through on its threat of military intervention or opt for a more diplomatic solution. The bloc has said it is prepared to use all means necessary to restore democracy in Niger, but has also expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Niger's so-called National Council for the Restoration of Democracy.
