News: Questions raised by the opposition on a possible military intervention in Niger
In the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the opposition parties are wondering about a possible military intervention in Niger. In Benin, the party Les Démocrates, a heavyweight in the opposition, addressed around twenty oral questions to the government in order to clarify the situation. In a context of parliamentary recess, the party has made public the list of questions, which reflect a tone of interpellation.
The Beninese opposition accuses the government of engaging the country in a war against the brotherly and sovereign people of Niger, calling it a violation of the Beninese Constitution. Many questions are asked: will the government take the opinion of parliament before the intervention? How many Beninese soldiers will be engaged? How much will their premiums be? What assistance will be granted to families in the event of death at the front? What measures will the government take to protect Beninese living in Niger? The Democrats even go so far as to question the priority given to the restoration of power by Mohamed Bazoum in relation to the lives of the people.
Beyond these questions concerning the military intervention, certain questions also relate to the economic sanctions imposed on Niamey since the putsch. A final question also challenges ECOWAS by asking why the institution strongly condemns military coups, but tolerates institutional coups.
The response from the Beninese government was not long in coming. The spokesman, Wilfrid Houngbédj, first made it clear that there was no declaration of war. He then urged the Democrats to read the constitution carefully. An activist from the government camp quipped by saying that the opposition was talking to exist, but that it would have answers to its questions once the military intervention was over.
This situation highlights the tensions and questions raised by a possible military intervention in Niger. It is important to emphasize that this case not only raises questions about military strategy, but also about the consequences for civilian populations and about the actions of ECOWAS in the region