The military intervention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger raises many questions. While some countries had announced that they would make their troops available, it seems that they have been demobilized for the moment. This decision mainly comes from the fact that Nigeria, the driving force behind the operation, has backed down.
It is interesting to note that several ECOWAS member countries are impacted by this decision. Indeed, the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, who was initially very upset against the authors of the coup d’état in Niamey, would have finally changed his mind. This about-face could be the result of pressure from religious leaders in Nigeria, but also of a realization that the situation was evolving too quickly.
This reluctance on the part of Nigeria has had a direct impact on other troop-contributing countries. Ivory Coast, whose troops were to regroup in Daloa, in the center-west of the country, was demobilized. The Senegalese and Ghanaian troops are in the same situation.
It is interesting to note that ECOWAS has not yet officially announced its disengagement. However, it seems that she is looking for the best way to communicate her backpedaling on this possible military intervention. ECOWAS troop command officers traveled to Nigeria for a meeting in Sokoto, but the agenda remains confidential for the moment.
This situation highlights the difficulties that ECOWAS faces in its attempt to resolve the crisis in Niger. The question of military intervention appears to be on the back burner, at least for the moment. It is now necessary to find other ways to put pressure on the ruling junta in Niamey.
In conclusion, the ECOWAS military intervention project in Niger seems to be on hold. The mobilized troops were demobilized, mainly due to Nigeria’s change in position. This situation raises many questions about the future of the Nigerien crisis and the means that ECOWAS will implement to resolve it.