ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Urgent Meeting in Abuja Amid Niger Coup Crisis
In the wake of the recent coup d’état in Niger, the Chiefs of Defence Staff from West African nations have convened a high-stakes meeting at the Defence headquarters, Abuja.
The meeting, led by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, seeks to address the escalating crisis triggered by the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and the subsequent ultimatum issued by ECOWAS leaders.
With tensions running high, the two-day summit aims to deliberate on a unified response to the coup, as well as explore potential strategies to bring about a peaceful resolution. The ECOWAS regional bloc, comprising military leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, the Gambia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Senegal, Benin Republic, and Guinea Bissau, aims to navigate the delicate situation with diplomatic finesse.
This gathering comes on the heels of a pivotal move by the Economic Community of West African States, which imposed sanctions on Niger and warned of possible military intervention should the junta fail to restore President Bazoum to power within the stipulated one-week timeframe. The ultimatum has prompted concerns over the stability of the region and raised questions about the potential use of force as a last resort.
Notably absent from the summit are representatives from Niger, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau. Their lack of presence casts a shadow over the prospects of a comprehensive regional accord.
As the world watches intently, the outcome of this meeting holds the key to determining the fate of Niger and the broader West African region.