The European Union is satisfied that ECOWAS sanctions against Niger are starting to take effect by causing a shortage of food and medication in the coup-hit country, EU Special Representative for the African Sahel Emanuela Del Re said on Wednesday.
"Sanctions are starting to take effect. There is not enough medication, not enough food. Power outages are even more frequent than before. If we want [the Nigerien military] junta to weaken, we must continue with the sanctions," Del Re told Italian daily La Repubblica.
It's worth noting that in addition to ECOWAS, of which Niger is a member, a number of Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France, have either suspended or threatened to suspend humanitarian aid to Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, following the coup.
French President Emmanuel Macron, for his part, promised to support any sanctions that African regional organizations might impose on those involved in the coup. The European Union soon followed suit.
She said that the EU supports ECOWAS in its efforts to put pressure on the Nigerien coup leaders, adding that the West African regional bloc considers military intervention to be a radical measure "which should not be taken."
"The issue of legitimacy of any kind of intervention is widely discussed within both the EU and ECOWAS. Absolute legitimacy is essential for correct and transparent conduct. For example, will an armed intervention require approval from the UN Security Council? Or does it need only internal legitimization? We are considering the matter of procedures and regulations very closely because of a request for support, which the EU has received," the special representative said.
The coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland closed the country's borders and broke security agreements with France, its former colonizer.
ECOWAS gave coup leaders one week to reinstate Bazoum and restore order, hinting that it would resort to military intervention otherwise. Its ultimatum expired on Sunday.