Niger braces for ECOWAS deadline; no signs of giving in to threats
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The West-African bloc gave Niamey until Sunday to give in to its conditions or else face imminent military action.
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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.
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".
