US agrees that ECOWAS attack on Niger should be 'last resort'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Aug 2023 22:31
1 Shares

The United States says that it remains in close contact with leaders of ECOWAS regarding a peaceful resolve to the situation in Niger.

Nigerien citizens rally in support of the coup military leadership in Niamey on August 6, 2023 (AFP)

The United States confirms that a military attack on Niger is the "last option" approach to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address the recent in the neighboring African country, which saw the ousting of Western-backed president Mohamed Bazoum.

The West Africa bloc, "has been also very clear, and very clear publicly, that military intervention should be a last resort – something that we agree with, and we continue to be focused on finding a diplomatic solution and are in close contact with ECOWAS and their leadership on this," US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters on Monday.

On July 30, ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum to restore Bazoum or face a potential attack, and despite the deadline expiring, the organization continued to increase threats of an imminent military operation against the uranium-rich country.

Since after the coup, Niger was subjected to sanctions by the West African body and a near-total air and land embargo on shared borders, which hindered the nation's access to medicines, food, and electricity.

The coalition has also approved the deployment of a "standby force to restore constitutional order" in Niger "as soon as possible," but claimed that it remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Amid reports of internal hurdles among ECOWAS members and significant opposition inside some of their countries to the prospect of a war on Niger, the bloc canceled a Saturday crisis meeting on the coup due to be held in Ghana's capital Accra for "technical reasons".

On Sunday, Niger's new leadership vowed to prosecute Bazoum for "high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger," slamming the West African leaders for imposing sanctions against the country.