Niger Coup: ECOWAS ready to take all necessary measures, send strong warning Gen Tchiani

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Economy of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has said the bloc will have no choice but to take all necessary measures to restore back constitutional order in Niger if the diplomatic option fails.

The regional bloc has been moving back and forth after its initial threat of military force was watered down by strong internal public opinion that caution against a move that may destabilise the fragile West African region.

West Africa is home to some of the world’s poorest countries.

The ECOWAS commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, spoke while briefing the press about the situation of Niger coup at the weekend.

He said, “We want to serve whatever we are doing. We want to serve the people of Niger. The people of Niger, Benin, part and parcel of the ECOWAS states and the ECOWAS community and we hope we can continue to serve them through the integration effort that ECOWAS is promoting”

Speaking at the National television, he added “ECOWAS stands for the restoration of constitution and order in all member countries especially in the Republic of Niger and through peaceful means. But if peaceful means say ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands, all measures will be taken, as the heads of states, as the authority of heads of states have decided”.

However, ECOWAS led by it chairman and Nigeria president, Bola Tinubu, has sent a fair amount of delegates including groups of religion leaders to Niger coupist for resolution through diplomacy.

After series of sanctions placed on Niger by the ECOWAS bloc, General Abdourahmane Tchiani has proposed three years of power transition after meeting with delegation of West Africa leaders.

Neither the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland nor the people of Niger want war, and remain open to dialogue,” Tchiani said.