West African Nations Threaten Military Action Unless Niger Coup Is Undone
New York TimesJul 30, 2023
West African countries have issued an ultimatum to Niger's new military leaders, reportedly threatening to take "all measures," including force, to restore constitutional order if toppled Pres. Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within a week.
The ultimatum comes as leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held emergency talks Sunday in Nigeria's capital Abuja to discuss the country's third coup, which followed army takeovers in Mali and Burkina Faso.
The 15-nation ECOWAS echoed earlier calls by major allies of Niger, stressing its readiness to take swift action to restore democratic rule in a country that's vital to ensure regional security. Yet, the bloc will have to find the right balance to navigate its way out of this crisis without punishing citizens and pushing the junta into the hands of Russia or Wagner forces.
ECOWAS is once again taking the risk of being seen as an illegitimate regional body as it fails to realize sanctions cause more suffering among ordinary citizens while not dissuading the coup leaders. Following its failures in addressing recent military takeovers in Burkina Faso and Mali, the bloc should have changed its policies and implemented measures for preventing coups in the first place.