The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent a delegation to Niger on Wednesday to negotiate with the ruling military council in the country, hoping for a diplomatic solution to the crisis caused by the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum in a military coup last week.
The ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger and said it could authorize the use of force if the coup leaders do not reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum within a week.
“The military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
“There is a need to demonstrate that we cannot only bark but can bite,” he added.
The delegation to Niger is being led by former Nigerian president Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS defense chiefs began a two-day meeting in neighboring Nigeria.
Source: Qatar News Agency