The extraordinary ECOWAS summit on Niger, which took place on August 10, marked a firmer position by the organization in the face of the ruling junta. The decision to activate the ECOWAS standby force was announced as a deterrent measure aimed at reinstating President Mohamed Bazoum in office. However, ECOWAS has also affirmed its willingness to continue diplomatic efforts in parallel to restore constitutional order in Niamey.
The ECOWAS standby force is a collective security mechanism set up by the African Union and regional economic communities, including ECOWAS. It is made up of troops from member countries of the organization and is mobilized in the event of a crisis or security threat. Although the details of the deployment of this force are not yet known precisely, it is likely that Nigeria will provide the majority of the troops, with the support of Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Benin.
It is important to note that there are reservations about a military intervention in Niger, particularly within Nigerian public opinion and neighboring countries such as Algeria and Chad. However, military intervention is often used as a means of pressure and negotiation, and ECOWAS hopes to obtain the approval of the African Union and possibly the UN to legitimize its action on the international level.
Togo’s role in negotiations with the junta was also highlighted, showing the importance of dialogue in resolving the crisis. It is essential to maintain open communication channels with all actors involved and to seek peaceful solutions as much as possible.
In sum, the extraordinary ECOWAS summit on Niger marked a hardening of the organization’s tone, with the activation of the standby force, but also underlined the importance of dialogue in the search for a peaceful resolution. of the crisis