© AFPSupporters of the Nigerien defence and security forces rally outside the national assembly in Niamey on July 27, 2023
On July 30, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned military coup occurred in Niger on 26 July, with President Mohamed Bazoum being ousted and detained by his presidential guard. In early August, the ECOWAS members adopted a plan in case of military intervention in Niger.
The intervention of ECOWAS troops to resolve the crisis in
Niger is unlikely to contribute to the stabilization of the situation in the country, said Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexey Zaitsev.
"We support the mediation efforts being made by the African community in order to assist the Nigeriens in overcoming the current crisis. At the same time, we proceed from the fact that the intervention of ECOWAS troops in a sovereign state is unlikely to contribute both to achieving lasting peace in Niger and to stabilizing the situation in the subregion as a whole," he said at a briefing.
The official stressed that there is no alternative way to better off the situation in the West African nation, except from the dialogue and the diplomatic solution.
"We hope that mutually acceptable solutions can be found within the framework of further diplomatic efforts of ECOWAS on Niger," Zaitsev added.
"We consider it extremely important not to allow further escalation of tension in Niger. We believe there is no alternative way to resolve the situation - the speedy restoration of law and order, the organization of an inclusive national dialogue."Niger's military announced on national television at the end of July that President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power. The commander of the Presidential Guard, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, appeared on state TV as the head of the "National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland" formed by the coup participants.
At the same time, on Tuesday, the representative of the President of Nigeria, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the desire of the
ECOWAS bloc countries to use diplomatic measures to resolve the situation in Niger.
Moreover, the official noted that other options are also not excluded.
On July 30, ECOWAS condemned the coup, froze financial help to the nation, and ordered Niger's coup leaders one week to reinstate the country's ousted president, or the community would employ "all measures," including military force, to restore order in the African country.
Comment: Reuters
reports on the EU plans to start sanctions:
Neighbouring countries backing the armed takeover called on the United Nations to prevent a military intervention threatened by other West African states.
An EU official involved in sanctions work and an EU diplomat said the bloc has started discussing the criteria for punitive measures. The official said that would include "undermining of democracy" in Niger and was likely to be agreed soon.
"The next step would be sanctions against individual members of the junta" deemed responsible, the EU diplomat said.
National officials were discussing the matter on Wednesday, said the official and another EU diplomat. All three sources spoke under condition of anonymity.
Agreement by all 27 EU member states is required to impose sanctions and it was not immediately clear when that could happen. Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were due to meet on Thursday after their deadline passed for reinstating Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
"The EU is ready to support ECOWAS's decisions, including the adoption of sanctions," said Peter Stano, the EU executive's spokesman on foreign policy.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the Niger situation, including sanctions, at a meeting in Toledo, Spain, on Aug. 31.
The EU, one of the biggest providers of aid to Niger, said already last month it was suspending security cooperation and financial support that had been set at 503 million euros ($552 million) in 2021-24 to help improve governance and education.
On Wednesday, a former rebel leader and politician launched a movement opposing the junta, in the first sign of internal resistance to army rule in Niger since the July 26 coup.
It's rather telling how quickly Western-backed ECOWAS is to resort to economic warfare and threats of military intervention; it hasn't taken the EU very long to threaten a sanctions package either; meanwhile Russia continues to encourage dialogue, despite apparently agreeing with the West that the junta isn't necessarily the ideal leadership for the country.
See also:
For more on the situation, check out
The Duran's analysis on Nuland's visit to the junta's leaders:
Comment: Reuters reports on the EU plans to start sanctions: It's rather telling how quickly Western-backed ECOWAS is to resort to economic warfare and threats of military intervention; it hasn't taken the EU very long to threaten a sanctions package either; meanwhile Russia continues to encourage dialogue, despite apparently agreeing with the West that the junta isn't necessarily the ideal leadership for the country.
See also:
- Bad sign: Victoria Nuland, Washington's 'regime change Karen', wants to speak to the manager in Niger
- Niger military government faces new internal opposition
- France's military attacked Niger's National Guard, violated airspace, released terrorists, say coup leaders
For more on the situation, check out The Duran's analysis on Nuland's visit to the junta's leaders: