The following article presents recent news concerning the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its intervention in Niger following the coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. In this article, we collect the reactions of three Nigeriens to the decision of ECOWAS.
ECOWAS decided, during a meeting in Abuja on August 10, 2023, to deploy a “standby force” to restore constitutional order in Niger. This decision sparked mixed reactions among Nigerien citizens. Eli Bossoma, a civil society actor, criticizes ECOWAS for its weakness and believes that the ruling junta in Niger is not ready to participate in constructive discussions. For him, the problem lies in the refusal of the junta to respect the democratic choices of the people of Niger and the provisions of ECOWAS.
On the other hand, Djibril Idrissa, secretary general of the Democratic Confederation of Workers of Niger, advocates dialogue rather than force to resolve the crisis. According to him, dialogue is essential to reach an agreement between the parties in conflict. He stresses the importance of the release of Mohamed Bazoum and is convinced that this would facilitate a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Finally, another Nigerien, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed his skepticism about the return of Mohamed Bazoum to power. According to him, the political situation has already evolved towards the establishment of a transitional government, making Bazoum’s return impossible. He believes that ECOWAS should accompany Niger in this transition process rather than seeking to restore the former president.
These different reactions underline the divisions and questions that remain within the population of Niger in the face of the political crisis. While some call for firm intervention by ECOWAS to restore constitutional order, others favor dialogue and the search for a peaceful solution. The position of ECOWAS and the actions it will take will have a significant impact on the political future of Niger. It remains to be seen how this crisis will be resolved and what the reaction of the various actors involved will be