The Senegalese military is preparing for the deployment in Benin for a possible military intervention in Niger, the Seneweb news portal reported Wednesday, citing sources.
Senegal's army, on the instructions of Mbaye Cisse, the Chief of the General Staff of the armed forces of Senegal, mobilized its forces on August 11, the report said.
The country's air carrier, Air Senegal, has requested the transportation of 900 mobilized soldiers and military equipment to the Beninese city of Cotonou, which will "undoubtedly" serve as a rear base for the intervention forces of the ECOWAS.
An army spokesperson told the portal that he had not received such information.
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard ousted and detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the president of the caretaker of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland-led government. Most Western countries, as well as ECOWAS, condemned it. In early August, ECOWAS adopted a plan for a potential military intervention in Niger.