By early afternoon, no possible conclusions had been leaked from the military officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries, who plan to have a closing ceremony around 4:00 PM GMT, according to the meeting’s schedule. The meeting aims to discuss the details of a potential military intervention in Niger following the coup, while concerns grow over the fate of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Calls for a peaceful resolution to this crisis have multiplied in recent days, particularly from the United States.
“The objective of our meeting is not only to react to events but to proactively chart a path that leads to peace and supports stability,” said General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Chief of Staff of Nigeria, at the opening of the meeting in Accra on Thursday.
The meeting is intended to “refine” the details in case ECOWAS “resorts to the ultimate means of force,” explained Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
“The military junta in Niger is playing cat and mouse with ECOWAS,” he added, lamenting that the Nigerien generals have violated their own constitution and the protocols of the West African organization.
For now, the Nigerien generals remain inflexible and consider any armed intervention against their country as an “illegal and senseless aggression.”
They are expected to discuss the situation with European Council President Charles Michel, as reported on Friday by a EU official.
Meanwhile, Charles Michel “reiterated the EU’s support and full backing for ECOWAS decisions, as well as the firm condemnation of the unacceptable coup in Niger,” according to the EU official.
“The EU will not recognize the authorities resulting from the coup. President Bazoum, democratically elected, remains the legitimate head of state of Niger,” he insisted.
“On a whim”
From Geneva, the intention to prosecute Mr. Bazoum for “high treason” has been strongly denounced by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.
“This decision is not only politically motivated against a democratically elected president, but it has no legal basis since the normal constitutional order,” the UN human rights chief told them that they “cannot arrogate to themselves the right to defy – on a whim – the will of the people.”
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Also from Geneva, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to alleviate the overcrowding in transit centers in Niger, where thousands of migrants are stranded.
“The recent closures of borders and airspace have exacerbated the difficulties faced by stranded migrants and hindered IOM’s assisted voluntary return operations,” explained the IOM.
Due to its geographical position, Niger is one of the main transit countries in the region for migrants.
Moreover, at least 28 civilians were killed earlier this week in violence in several villages in southwestern Niger, near Mali, according to a local official source. However, a security source suggests that the toll could be higher. The origin of this violence has not been indicated.