West African Military Conference on Armed Intervention

Chiefs of West African forces are to meet in Ghana on Thursday, August 17, to discuss the means of possible armed intervention in Niger, where at least 17 soldiers were killed in an attack by suspected jihadists on Tuesday.

A crucial West African military meeting is scheduled to take place in the Ghanaian capital Accra until Friday, where details of a planned military intervention to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bassum will be discussed. Status as of July 26.

If the option of armed action is on the table, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) still favors a path of dialogue and diplomacy with the military regime in power in Niamey.

“Humanitarian Exceptions”

The meeting comes two days after at least 17 Nigerian soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in an attack by suspected jihadists in southwestern Niger near the Burkina Faso border. In a press release issued on Tuesday, ECOWAS noted “Various Attacks by Armed Groups” containing “caused the death of many Nigerian soldiers”Without mentioning the dates of these.

condemns “for sure” The attacks prompted the organization to call for military rule in Niamey “Restore Constitutional Order” In the country to focus “About Security” Who happened It has further weakened since the coup attempt.

Niger has faced regular attacks by jihadist groups for years. Tuesday’s attack was the deadliest since a military coup led by General Abdurrahmane Diyani. “Deterioration of the Security Situation”.

The World Food Program (WFP) warned on Wednesday that regional sanctions and border closures imposed by ECOWAS “Heavily affecting Niger’s supply of essential food and medical supplies”We ask “Urge all parties to facilitate humanitarian withdrawals”.

“Continued US Engagement”

Calls for a peaceful resolution to the crisis have grown in recent days, including from some Western partners such as the United States, which announced Wednesday that new ambassador Kathleen Fitzgibbon will soon settle in Niamey. “This is not a sign of a change in US policy, but a sign of its continued engagement.” However, a diplomatic solution will be sought, a State Department spokesman said.

The new Niger regime is also looking for allies in the region. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Sain, who was appointed by the military in Niamey, traveled to N’Djamena, where he was received by Chadian Interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

For the first time, he said it was his country “In Process of Change”However without specifying its duration before a possible election to return to constitutional order.

Chad, a major military power in the Sahel region, announced last week that it would not participate in any military intervention alongside ECOWAS.

Neighboring Mali and Burkina, led by soldiers who came to power in coups in 2020 and 2022, were quick to show their solidarity with the commanders in Niamey.

Inflexible

The latter remain unyielding for now and have jailed ousted President Mohamed Bassum since July 26, whom they intend to prosecute. “High Treason”. Military action against their country a “Unlawful and senseless occupation” And promised A “Instant Response” For any attack.

The Nigerian military has been mobilized for years in the fight against the jihadists, particularly in a large area called Tillaberi. “Three Borders” Tuesday’s attack took place between Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Before the coup, France, the former colonial power with 1,500 soldiers in Niger, actively participated with the Nigerian army in the fight against these jihadist groups. He has become one of the favorite targets of Niamey’s new regime, which accuses him of influencing the decisions of ECOWAS.