The Economic Community of West African States' military intervention in the coup-hit Niger would be a grave mistake, as negotiations are the only possible way to resolve the crisis, the country's former president, Mahamadou Issoufou, said on Saturday.
"An external military intervention, the human and material consequences of which are incalculable, will be a source of lasting instability ... Resorting to it would be not just a misconception, but a mistake. I am sure that ECOWAS leaders will use their immense wisdom to avoid committing such a mistake," Issoufou said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He added that "a swift return to a stable democratic order" is possible only through negotiations.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. Following the coup, ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened military intervention if the rebels did not reinstate Bazoum.
On September 17, Nigerien media reported that Bazoum's Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism is against potential military interference in the country by ECOWAS.
A former French colony, Niger had remained the last of the Western states' allies in the Sahel. The country has significant uranium reserves, on which France depends for supplies. According to estimates, Niger accounts for 15% to 17% of the uranium used to generate electricity in France. There is currently an estimated 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger.