After two days of meeting in Accra, Ghana, the chiefs of staff of the ECOWAS countries took an additional step in view of a potential military intervention in Niger, “ to restore constitutional order three weeks after the coup against President Mohamed Bazoum.
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2 mins
With our special correspondent in Accra, Francois Hume-Ferkatadji
” D-day has been decided According to the commissioner for political affairs of ECOWAS, Abdel-Fatau Musah. The Commissioner of ECOWAS specified that an agreement has been reached on equipment and resources. While the numbers and plans have been decided. “ We are ready to go. There will be no news chiefs of staff meeting […]. We want to liberate Niger from the military in power so that this country can focus on its primary objective, the fight against terrorism “. This is one more step in the showdown between ECOWAS and the Nigerian junta.
The diplomatic option still on the table
On the other hand, in the final communiqué, indications show that the situation may still evolve. First of all, the project must now be validated by the Conference of Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African Countries to be fully validated. Then, the Nigerian Chief of Staff insists that all options remain on the table. The path to dialogue therefore remains open for ECOWAS.
“ We are not declaring war on Niger “, added on several occasions the commissioner of political affairs of ECOWAS. ” There is always a possibility of dialogue “, explained Abdel-Fatau Musah, insisting on the fact that this operation aims to restore constitutional order. He also announced a possible diplomatic mission of ECOWAS on Saturday August 19 in Niger. Its delegations have so far failed to meet General Tchiani.
Abdel-Fatau Musah nuances, however, and sums up the tone of this summit: “ We’re not going to spend our time arguing. »
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