Situation in Niger After Military Coup
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

ECOWAS Intervention in Niger Would Be 'Suicidal' Amid Fight With Terrorism: Expert

© AFP 2023 ISSOUF SANOGOECOMOG Nigerian soldiers, the military arm of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepare for a patrol in the village of Lomo nord, in central Ivory Coast 14 February 2003.
ECOMOG Nigerian soldiers, the military arm of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepare for a patrol in the village of Lomo nord, in central Ivory Coast 14 February 2003. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 10.08.2023
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The expert's remarks come against the backdrop of the ongoing emergency meeting of West African heads of state in Nigeria's Abuja on Thursday to discuss strategy towards the military that seized power in Niger in a coup.
A possible military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger is bound to have a negative effect on the Sahel countries' struggle against terrorism, pan-Africanist Amzat Boukari-Yabara, told Sputnik Africa.

"The military intervention of the ECOWAS, if it were to take place, would necessarily have a negative impact in the fight against terrorism, since it would reduce the forces available to fight the terrorist threat," Boukari-Yabara said.

The expert added that such a move would likely lead to the dismemberment of the armies of the Sahel countries and force the armies of coastal countries to be more present in the Sahel.
Such a scenario would eventually lead to the disengagement of armies in the fight against terrorism, the pundit believes.
"It's hard to see how a war pitting Ivorian, Nigerian and Senegalese troops against Malian, Burkinabe and Nigerian troops could lead to anything constructive enabling these different armies to unite against the terrorist threat," Boukari-Yabara noted.
In this vein, the pan-Africanist concluded, ECOWAS's decision to engage in armed confrontation with Niger would be a "suicidal decision given the stakes involved in the fight against terrorism."
ECOWAS Senegalese troops take position near the state house in the Gambian capital Banjul Jan. 22, 2017. West Africa's regional bloc known as ECOWAS has threatened the use of force in reinstating the president of Niger after he was deposed by his military but how the bloc would carry out the threat remains unclear, with a military deployment on the table.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 09.08.2023
Situation in Niger After Military Coup
Mali, Burkina Faso Urge UN to Prevent Possible Armed Actions Against Niger
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard removed elected President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum from power and the guard's commander, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

The coup drew condemnation from the ECOWAS bloc, which halted all financial aid to Niger, froze rebel assets, banned commercial flights in and out of the country, and closed all borders.

The group gave the coup leaders a week to restore Bazoum and the constitutional order, hinting that it would resort to military intervention if they did not. The ultimatum expired on Sunday.
Niger's neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, both ruled by transitional governments that seized power in coups, have said an intervention would be a "declaration of war" on their countries.
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