US, ECOWAS tone down on Niger but all options remain on the table

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Aug 2023 22:37

The US says a peaceful solution in Niger remains realistic but very hard to achieve after failing to meet with the military junta's leadership in Niamey.

Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane (C), General Mohamed Toumba (C-L), and Colonel Ousmane Abarchi (R) are greeted by Nigeriens upon their arrival at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, Niger, on August 6, 2023. (AFP)

The United States is still hopeful for a possible diplomatic solution that would see the overthrown President of Niger return to power, saying this scenario remains a "realistic" expectation while condemning the military junta leaders' refusal to meet with the head of its West African mission.

"We do still have hope, but we were also very realistic," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, a day after acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland met with members of the Nigerien "civil society" after being refused a meeting with junta's leaders and the imprisoned ex-President Mohamed Bazoum.

"We do have hope that the situation will be reversed but at the same time, we are making clear, including in direct conversations with junta leaders themselves, what the consequences are for failing to return to constitutional order," Miller stated.

The junta also refused to receive a proposed ECOWAS mission in Niger's capital Niamey citing "security reasons", according to AFP, citing an official letter.

"I think it's very unfortunate and it is in keeping with the message that we heard from them yesterday," Miller said of the refusal to allow the mission.

Tinibu echoes Washington's rhetoric

The US move to resecure its interests in Niger through diplomatic means and avoid armed confrontation has been echoed by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who also heads ECOWAS.

Tinubu said he sees diplomacy as the optimal path to follow in Niger. This perspective emerges subsequent to the West African organization's issuance of a seven-day ultimatum on July 26, urging the leaders of the coup to reinstate Bazoum, which officially expired on Sunday without achieving its intended purpose.

ECOWAS has since then said it is still assessing its options for a potential invasion of Niger as neighboring countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Algeria have officially affirmed their support of Niambey's junta and their opposition to military interference in the country.

Tinubu and other West African leaders "would prefer a resolution that was obtained through diplomatic means, through peaceful means, rather than any other," spokesperson of the Nigerian presidency Ajuri Ngelale said, adding, however, that "no options have been taken off of the table."

"That will be a position that is maintained going forward, pending any other resolution that may or may not result from the ECOWAS extraordinary summit holding on Thursday," Ngelale added, a stance that echoes the US current attitude in West Africa.

So far, military interference has not yet been ruled out, as the Western-backed ECOWAS announced earlier on Tuesday that it has the capacity to deploy 25,000 troops in order to invade Niger and prop up Bazoum as head of state.