ECOWAS estimates 25,000 troops for potential invasion of Niger
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The military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger's neighbors, warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.
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Protesters gather outside the National Assembly in Niamey, Niger, on August 3, 2023 (AFP)
The West African bloc ECOWAS said it has the capacity to provide up to 25,000 troops for the potential invasion of Niger with the goal of reinstating Nigerean President Mohamed Bazoum, Nigerean-based RFI radio station reported.
The majority of forces will be deployed by Nigeria, the report added.
The crisis in Niger was sparked on July 26, when the presidential guard detained President Bazoum, leading to the subsequent declaration of interim leadership by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also assumed the presidency of the Caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.
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ECOWAS has resorted to implementing a full pressure campaign on the country, which included the closure of land and air borders between the bloc's countries and Niger, the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions with it, and the freezing of the country's assets in ECOWAS Central Banks.
The bloc gave Niger's coup leaders one week to reinstate the detained president, or the community would use "all measures," including military, to "restore order" in the African nation.
On their part, the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger's neighbors, warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.
Earlier today, the head of delegations of both Burkina Faso and Mali, Mali's Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization Abdoulaye Maiga said after a meeting with the Nigerien coup leaders that Mali and Burkina Faso will not accept any military intervention in Niger.
"One thing is certain, President [of Mali Assimi] Goita and [President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim] Traore said no, no, and no. We will not accept a military intervention in Niger," Maiga said, as quoted by Mali's aBamako news website.
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