Military Intervention in Niger: Preparations Underway for ECOWAS

Military sources in Nigeria have confirmed that preparations for a military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger are currently taking place. Despite growing opposition to a military intervention, ECOWAS has not ruled out using force to restore democracy following a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff. President Mohamed Bazum is set to assume office.

According to Nigerian military sources, the plan, which was approved in Accra, is being executed. The military and reserve forces have not received any counter-orders against the intervention. It is evident that the option of restoring constitutional order through force is still being considered and planned.

The heads of the armies are presently overseeing the deployment of forces, including their transportation through neighboring countries to selected bases and staging points. The ECOWAS standby force will be comprised of troops from Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau. Ghana is also expected to participate in this joint military operation, with other countries potentially joining after training their forces.

Most units have already appointed field commanders, establishing an operational control system to coordinate the movement and location of these forces. A senior officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the date for the intervention has been set and no changes have been made thus far.

Source: RT