RUSSIA SUPPORTS ECOWAS MEDIATION AS FEAR AND ANGER ENGULF NIAMEY

Sat 12 August 2023:

In Niger, where President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26, Russia reaffirmed its support for the Economic Community of West African Countries’ (ECOWAS) efforts at mediation on Friday.

“Russia supports the mediation efforts of ECOWAS aimed at finding ways out of the current crisis,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that Moscow is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the West African nation.

Noting that ECOWAS was taking steps to restore constitutional order in Niger through “politico-diplomatic dialogue with the new Niger authorities,” the ministry said a military intervention could lead to “protracted confrontation” in Niger and destabilize the Sahara-Sahel region.

The statement was referring to a decision by ECOWAS on Thursday to activate a standby force to restore Bazoum and “constitutional order” in Niger.

The U.S., France, and the majority of African nations have also expressed support for ECOWAS’s efforts in resolving the crisis.

Not to take military action

Russia has warned that military intervention in Niger would lead to a “protracted confrontation” after regional bloc Ecowas said it would assemble a standby force.

Such an intervention would destabilise the Sahel region as a whole, the Russian foreign ministry said.

All options open

The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in Nigeria’s Abuja on Thursday for an emergency summit.

West African heads of state have said all options including the use of force remained on the table to restore constitutional order in Niger

In closing remarks, the bloc pledged to enforce sanctions and travel bans on those preventing the return to power of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

“No option is taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort,” said Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, the ECOWAS chair, at the end of the summit.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Niger in the journey towards peaceful democratic stability,” he said.

“I hope that through our collective effort we can bring about a peaceful resolution as a roadmap to restoring stability and democracy in Niger. All is not lost yet.”

The military junta in Niger announced a new government on Thursday, appointing Ali Lamine Zeine as interim prime minister with a 21-member Cabinet, a major decision following a successful coup on July 26.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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