The possibility of a military deployment commissioned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) into Niger remains firmly on the table on the final day of a landmark meeting in Accra.
The second and concluding day of the high-level meeting among West African military chiefs unfolded at Burma Camp with the focus squarely on the ongoing coup crisis in Niger.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, addressed the gathering, shedding light on the potential military dimension of addressing the turmoil.
While affirming that ECOWAS military chiefs are actively exploring a range of strategies on Friday, August 18, Mr Musah emphasised that the intent is not to declare war on Niger.
The discussions, he said, were within the context of considering a comprehensive approach to resolving the crisis, which includes military intervention if peaceful methods fall short.
Abdel-Fatau Musah acknowledged that the ECOWAS mission may undertake renewed talks in Niger as an attempt to seek a peaceful resolution on Saturday, August 19.
However, he urged the public to exercise caution in overemphasising the military intervention aspect of the situation.
But he says the posture adopted by the junta in Niger towards the mediation process leaves ECOWAS with no opinion but to play hardball.
“Although we are not going to be the ones knocking on the door when they are slamming the doors on us, it is clear that sanctions are also on the table,” Musah stated.
He indicated that sanctions, as a coercive tool, are under consideration to pressure the junta to surrender.
While keeping the military intervention option on the horizon, Musah underscored the intention for any such deployment to be strategic, brief, and aimed at swiftly restoring constitutional order.
He clarified, “If all fails, then we have no option but to go to the final option, which is military intervention, and we hope that it is going to be surgical, it is going to be short-lived to ensure that constitutional order is restored.”
