ECOWAS Intervention in Niger is Last Resort, Not Next Step, Official Says

The military invasion of Niger by the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) is an extreme measure to restore constitutional order in the coup-hit country, and not the next step, the spokesperson of the President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu and a special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said.

"Military intervention is not something that our [ECOWAS'] feet are rushing into, it is not something that we are going to wake up tomorrow morning and declare. It is something that is on the table as a means of last resort [...] and not the next step," Ngelale told media in an interview.

At the same time, the spokesman noted that the ECOWAS countries intend to restore constitutional order in Niger by any means.

"All the heads of states [of ECOWAS] agree to a common position and consensus that all options must remain on the table to ensure that there is a restoration of constitutional order in Niger Republic," he highlighted.

The official also noted that, according to the president and ECOWAS, decisions regarding the restoration of constitutional order in Niger must be "wise," "thoughtful," "incremental" and "escalatory"

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Moreover, Ngelale emphasized that the measures that had already been taken against the military leaders are showing results, particularly, at the negotiation table.

"We have seen the escalating costs on the economy of Niger Republic. We have seen escalating costs imposed on the families and individuals that are involved in the military transition council, and those costs are enormous. We are getting the back-channel information from Niger Republic that the pressure we have placed on their economy and on the individuals responsible for this [coup] are such that we're beginning to see breakthroughs at the negotiation table," he revealed.

The official added that Nigeria is "not a cowardly" nation and West Africa is "not a cowardly" region, and will take "whatever decision that needs to be taken to defend freedom in the region and in the country."

Commenting on the impact of the ECOWAS sanctions on the Nigeriens, the spokesman stressed that there is no "conflict" with the citizens of the coup-hit state, adding the talks are underway to ensure that activities that would be hurting ordinary citizens of Niger Republic are minimized to the greatest extent possible with respect to the application of sanctions.

"We are not in conflict in any way with the great people and citizenry of Niger Republic. So we are delineating between the people of Niger Republic and the military transition council for Niger Republic. We are saying that we are going to ratchet up to the needed extent possible those sanctions that are being applied to the military council, but in a way that would at least minimize the impact on the citizenry of Niger Republic. Those are constant conversations that are going on," Ngelale said.

In addition, the official underlined that all the punitive measures imposed by the West African bloc are supported by all the member states of the organization.

"All sanctions are being applied on the basis of ECOWAS consensus. All these sanctions are being agreed upon by all ECOWAS member states that have signed on to that consensus. Everybody is on board with that in terms of the West African sub-region," he told the media.

At the end of July, the Niger military announced on national television the removal of President Bazoum from power and the formation of the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland (CNSP). The leaders of most Western countries and the regional organization ECOWAS condemned the coup.

Following the coup, ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened invasion if the coup leaders do not reinstate Bazoum.

On August 18, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said that ECOWAS general staff chiefs had agreed on a date for the beginning of military intervention, but would not make it public.

In response to this, on Saturday, the rebel-appointed Chief of Staff of Niger's armed forces, Moussa Salau Barmou ordered the country's troops to be put on maximum readiness.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray said that the organization is committed to pursuing diplomatic means to restore the constitutional order in Niger, while not ruling out the use of force.