JUST IN: ECOWAS ready to deploy troops in Niger

The standby force of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared its preparedness to deploy and enforce civil rule in Niger Republic in the event that diplomatic efforts to reverse the coup fail.

During a meeting in Accra, Ghana’s capital, all member states, except those under military rule and Cape Verde, have pledged their participation in the standby force.

According to Reuters, ECOWAS commissioner, Abdel-Fatau Musah, was quoted to have said, “Let no one be in doubt if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa…are ready to answer to the call of duty.

“By all means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country,” Musah told assembled defence chiefs from member countries, listing past ECOWAS deployments in The Gambia, and Liberia as examples of readiness.

Al Jazeera quoted Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, to have said, “Democracy is what we stand for and it’s what we encourage.”

The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promote stability.”

The Presidential Guards seized power from President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, making the ECOWAS issue a one-week ultimatum to the military to restore the president or risk sanctions.

Despite the ECOWAS threats, the military in Niger has shown determination to oppose any foreign intervention.

Consequently, the ECOWAS has instructed Defence Chiefs to activate the standby force.