https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230810/ecowas-military-intervention-in-niger-would-be-suicidal-amid-fight-with-terrorism-expert-1061224168.html
ECOWAS Intervention in Niger Would Be 'Suicidal' Amid Fight With Terrorism: Expert
ECOWAS Intervention in Niger Would Be 'Suicidal' Amid Fight With Terrorism: Expert
Sputnik Africa
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... 10.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-10T15:58+0200
2023-08-10T15:58+0200
2023-08-10T16:05+0200
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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 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.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."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 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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africa insight, niger, west africa, fighting terrorism, economic community of west african states (ecowas)
ECOWAS Intervention in Niger Would Be 'Suicidal' Amid Fight With Terrorism: Expert
15:58 10.08.2023 (Updated: 16:05 10.08.2023) 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."
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.
