Chiefs of Defense Staff from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries are expected to meet in Accra on Thursday, August 17, 2023, to possibly decide on military interventions to resolve the coup in Niger.
This meeting was initially scheduled for August 12, 2023 but had to be postponed.
ECOWAS leaders last week resolved to activate a standby force for an intervention following a takeover by the junta.
The Military Chiefs are expected to prepare a plan of attack in Niger if ECOWAS leaders give the green light.
Chief of Defense Staff for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Christopher Musa, said they will do what is right.
“We must confront them head-on, dwell upon our shared experiences, wisdom and the strength of our collective resolve. Our decisions will be a strong message about our commitment to democracy, our intolerance for unconstitutional changes of government and our dedication to regional stability,” he added.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS last week ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.
The President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, made the declaration while reading the resolution of ECOWAS on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja.
He also called on the African Union, AU, partner countries, and institutions to support the resolution taken by the sub-regional body.
He said all efforts made to dialogue with the Niger Republic military junta have been defiantly rejected by the coup leaders, as they condemn the continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
The international community led by ECOWAS has vehemently condemned the actions of the military and threatened to use all means to restore constitutional order.
The regional group has consistently called for the release of President Bazoum and his reinstatement as President of the country.
However, the military leadership of the country has stated its willingness to resolve the political crisis through diplomacy.
Although in a recent statement from its spokesperson, the military said it had compiled evidence against President Bazoum and hopes to prosecute him for “high treason”
