African news:

Following events in Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger becomes the third country in the Sahel to suffer a coup since 2020. The recent coup d'état on Monday July 26, 2023 in Niger prompted the West African regional bloc , The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to react quickly in order to restore stability in the West African region.

The European Union expressed its disapproval of this coup, which led to the suspension of its financial support to Niger. This decision marks a critical turning point in the situation, prompting ECOWAS to act and restore its authority in West Africa.

Aware of the risk of destabilization in this vulnerable region, ECOWAS has organized summits, mediations and diplomatic pressure to accelerate the return to civil governance in the affected countries. However, this mission proved difficult in both Mali and Burkina Faso.

Tensions have escalated as ECOWAS leaders do not rule out the possibility of using force in response to the Nigerien coup. In response, military juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso issued a joint statement warning against any military intervention against Niger as a declaration of war against them.

This fiery exchange of rhetoric raises concerns about the unprecedented steadfastness of ECOWAS and the operational capabilities of Niger's current authority, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani.

At an earlier meeting in Abuja, ECOWAS leaders gave a one-week ultimatum to the leaders of the coup in Niger to restore constitutional order, failing which military measures would be taken. The organization demanded the “immediate release” of President Bazoum and the “full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger”. These resolutions emerged from an extraordinary summit chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

However, a week after the expiry of the ultimatum, no concrete action or indication has been issued by ECOWAS. In contrast, the coup leaders took preemptive action by closing their airspace on the night of August 2 in anticipation of a potential conflict.

ECOWAS has also decided to “suspend all commercial and financial transactions” between its member states and Niger, thus further isolating this Sahelian country of 20 million inhabitants, despite its significant uranium resources.

Additional financial sanctions were imposed, including the freezing of the assets of soldiers involved in the coup attempt. Despite diplomatic efforts led by ECOWAS and later by US envoy Victoria Nuland, the coup leaders seem resistant to dialogue and strongly oppose the reinstatement of the previous government.

The Sahel region has now united against the ECOWAS member states in West Africa. Current events promise to escalate tensions. Stay tuned for further developments in this ongoing situation.

“By Cyrille Martial Hossou”