Algeria refuses to adhere to the ECOWAS decision to find a military solution to the putsch against Mohamed Bazoum. The latter, President of Niger, was deposed by the soldiers of the Presidential Guard.
This Friday, the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, dispatched a special envoy to Algeria, with the aim of obtaining solidarity support with the Economic Community of West African States against the putschists in Niger. As current president of ECOWAS, the Nigerian leader is considering a military option in Niger to restore constitutional order. Currently, all the countries of the Economic Community of West African States are ready, except for three.
These are Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, three countries led by putschist soldiers. If Guinea limits itself to support addressed to the junta in power in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, they have gone so far as to make threats. Assimi Goïta and Ibrahim Traoré, from Mali and Burkina Faso respectively, say they are ready to defend Niger militarily in the event of an attack by ECOWAS. A reaction perceived as a threat in this part of the Sahel.
“Possible military intervention in Niger”
On Friday, ECOWAS defense ministers said they had drawn up a plan for a “possible military intervention in Niger”. Giving leeway to the putschists, ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, issued warnings. This, after a meeting organized in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, since Wednesday August 2, 2023.
Faced with the military coup in Niger, the official indicated that “the Defense Ministers of the ECOWAS group have drawn up a plan for a possible intervention in Niger, including the manner and the moment of the deployment of the forces”. Not without warning that “we will not inform the putschists in Niger of the place and date of our strike”. While specifying that “the decision will be taken by the Heads of State of the ECOWAS group”. Option rejected by Algeria.
“Avoid the option of using force”
During a visit which is part of an “exchange of views and consultation on the evolution of the situation in the Republic of Niger”, Babagana Kingibe, the Special Envoy of the Nigerian President, and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf had a tete-a-tete. At the end of this interview, Algiers stressed “the need to activate all diplomatic methods and means” to find a solution in Niger.
However, the Algerian authorities recommended “avoiding the option of using force, which can only make the situation more complicated, serious and dangerous for Niger and the entire region”. Algeria also condemned the military coup “against the legitimate President in this brotherly and neighboring country”. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also called for “his return to his constitutional function as President of the Republic of Niger”.
