ECOWAS announced the development of a plan for a possible intervention in Niger

West African defense chiefs have developed a plan for a possible military intervention to stop the coup in Niger. About it informs Reuters with reference to the Commissioner for Peace and Security of ECOWAS (it includes 15 states of the region) Abdel-Fatau Musakh.

“All elements of any possible intervention have been worked out, including the necessary means, as well as how and when we are going to deploy forces,” he explained after a meeting of the military leadership of the ECOWAS countries in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

The Commissioner specified that ECOWAS was not going to disclose the details of the plan. The decision on further actions regarding Niger will be taken by the leaders of the countries of the community, he explained.

July 30 regional block warned on the possible use of force if the rebels do not restore constitutional order in Niger within a week and release ousted President Mohamed Bazum.

On August 2, Abdulfatar Musa, who oversees political and security affairs in ECOWAS, said that the bloc considers military intervention a “last resort”, transmitted Le Figaro newspaper. At the same time, he added, one must be prepared for such a possible situation.

On August 3, an ECOWAS delegation traveled to Niger in search of a “peaceful solution”. A source close to Reuters told Reuters that there had been no progress at the meeting with the rebels at the airport. On August 4, Al Arabiya TV channel, citing a statement by the defense ministers of the ECOWAS countries informedthat the organization has renounced the use of force, but decided to increase sanctions against Niger.

On the night of July 27, the Niger military announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazum and the closure of the country’s borders. At the same time, a nationwide curfew was announced, and the activities of all institutions of the republic were suspended. The rebels explained their actions by deteriorating security, economic and social problems.

The Kremlin expressed concern about the situation in Niger. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow stands for the speedy restoration of the rule of law in the country and for “restraint on all sides so that this does not lead to human casualties.”