Tensions are rising between Niger's new military regime and its neighboring countries, which have taken the first step towards possible armed intervention to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power. The Economic Community of West African States (Cedeao) approved on Thursday to activate a "reserve force" in the country after Sunday's ultimatum expired for the military junta to back down, although it assured to continue betting on dialogue.
Thousands of coup supporters demonstrated on Friday against the ECOWAS countries and France, which supports the initiative to deploy forces, just like the United States, but for now remains silent about its possible collaboration.
The timetable and terms of a possible military intervention by the bloc of 15 countries in Niger have not been disclosed. For now, the group has activated a working group with troops from across the region for a possible intervention. According to the president of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, whose country will contribute to this "reserve force", it should be able to intervene "as soon as possible".
However, a meeting that was to be held this Saturday in Accra to inform its leaders "of the best options" to follow up on their decision has been indefinitely postponed for "technical reasons", according to regional military sources.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Nigerien military junta traveled to Mali this Friday to meet with the military junta in this country, in a second visit by the Nigerien military to the neighboring country after taking power after the coup d'état on 26 February. July. Since then, the self-styled National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP) has traveled to Mali and Burkina Faso, two countries that have shown their support for the neighboring country and have denounced sanctions and threats of military action by ECOWAS. Both are under the orbit of Russia and the Wagner Group.
At stake is not only the fate of Niger, a major uranium producer and a key Western ally in the fight against Islamists, but also the concerns of world powers with key strategic interests in the semi-desert zone.
American, French, German and Italian troops are stationed in Niger to repel local al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates that have killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel. Western powers fear that Russian influence could be strengthened if the junta in Niger follows Mali's lead by expelling Western troops and inviting mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group.
Meanwhile, the African Union, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations have said they are increasingly concerned about the conditions of detention of Bazoum and his family, held captive in the presidential palace. Her daughter, who was on vacation in France when the coup took place, revealed to The Guardian that those close to her did not have electricity.
