Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Niger braces for ECOWAS deadline; no signs of giving in to threats

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 Aug 2023 19:08
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The West-African bloc gave Niamey until Sunday to give in to its conditions or else face imminent military action.

  • x
  • Niger's new leadership is doubling down on its
    Nigeriens participate in a march called for by supporters of coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani, pictured, in Niamey, Niger in July 2023 (AFP)

The people of Niger brace themselves as the deadline imposed by some of their African neighbors and backed by France to reinstate the ECOWAS-approved ousted President Mohamed Bazoum looms.

The military takeover in Niger was the latest in a series of rebellions led by African young leaders against governments imposed by France as part of its colonial efforts, including the recent coups in Burkina Faso and Mali and public protests in Senegal.

Under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani and supported by the nation's people, Niger announced the suspension of the export of uranium and gold to France, following the coup.

Niger produces Africa's highest-grade uranium ores and is a source of around 20 percent of France's uranium needs, which the European country uses mostly to power its nuclear plants. This is an energy source that Paris heavily increased reliance on since gas prices skyrocket after the start of the war in Ukraine.

Read more: France 24, RFI blocked in Niger, Paris 'firmly condemns' move

This decision placed the European country in a dire energy risk.

Under ECOWAS, a number of countries affiliated with Paris gave the country a seven-day ultimatum earlier this week: either surrender the coup by Sunday, August 6 or face military action.

France, which still has some 1,500 troops stationed in Niger, announced yesterday that it will "firmly" support any course of action that the bloc (ECOWAS) would take, signaling a position that surpasses just an approval and exhibits willingness to directly contribute to the war efforts.

Related News

Burkina Faso junta chief dismisses PM, dissolves government

Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali sign treaty to become confederation

Niger's new leadership annulled a slew of military cooperation agreements with France on Thursday, and warned against any armed aggression on the country, stressing that they will "resolutely defend their homeland."

"All the elements that will go into any eventual intervention have been worked out," ECOWAS commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah said on Friday, indicating that military plans have been prepared and are awaiting execution.

These [elements] included "the resources needed, and including the how and when we are going to deploy the force," he added.

Not alone

Responding to threats of military action against Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali warned that any attack on their neighbor would constitute a "declaration of war" against their own countries.

The "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilize the entire region."

Former colonizer France and the European Union suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger after the coup started, while the US ended a number of security packages.

ECOWAS has also 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.

Nigeria has cut all its electricity supplies to Niger -- which accounts for 70% of the country's electricity source - also as part of the measures aimed to exert pressure on the new leadership.

In response to the escalated measures, Burkina Faso and Mali denounced the "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger," voicing their support to their "brotherly nation".

  • Ibrahim Traore
  • Nigeria
  • West Africa
  • Niamey
  • Burkina Faso
  • ECOWAS
  • Mali
  • France
  • Niger
  • Abdourahmane Tchiani

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS