In a response to the recent coup in Niger, military chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are scheduled to convene in Ghana for a meeting to coordinate potential intervention strategies. The goal is to address the coup and work toward the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum. However, there seems to be a difference of opinion within the African Union (AU) regarding the proposed military intervention.
Reports indicate that the African Union has rejected ECOWAS’ proposal for military intervention in Niger unless the junta relinquishes power and reinstates the ousted president. This information comes from various sources cited by French media. As of Wednesday, the AU’s Peace and Security Council had not issued an official joint statement regarding its stance on the matter.
Experts suggest that the AU might be awaiting the outcome of the ECOWAS military chiefs’ meeting before making a definitive decision. Andrew Tchie, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, noted that the African Union could be waiting to see what ECOWAS decides before determining its next steps.
The situation highlights the complexities of regional cooperation and decision-making in response to political crises. The West African region is closely monitoring developments, and the outcome of the ECOWAS meeting is expected to provide clarity on the coordinated response to the coup in Niger.
