The 15-member nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) activated troops for a potential military intervention in Niger.
Thursday’s decision to place a combined army on stand-by intensified the standoff between ECOWAS and Niger’s military junta leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said his country will take part in an operation with Nigeria and Benin, saying negotiations have failed.
“We cannot let this continue, we have to act,” Ouattara said. “We will not accept coup d’etats.”
ECOWAS met after Tchiani refused a deadline Sunday to release Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who was abducted in late July.
Tchiani, who says he deposed Bazoum’s administration because of turmoil and economic instability, has threatened to kill the president in the event of military action.
The military junta leader has declined diplomatic negotiations with western and African leaders and established his own government on Thursday.
The African Union and the U.S. have backed the activation of troops from ECOWAS.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he supports the decision for the “restoration of constitutional order” in Niger.
“We echo the ECOWAS condemnation of the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family, and members of the government,” Blinken said in a statement, “as well as the unacceptable conditions under which they are being held, and call for their immediate release.”
Tchiani is not without his supporters.
Burkina Faso and Mali, which are both suspended from ECOWAS after similar military coups upended government order, have backed Niger and warned against military action.
Russia‘s Foreign Ministry has supported mediation efforts in Niger and said military intervention could compound the crisis.
“We believe that the military solution to the Niger crisis is likely to trigger a protracted confrontation in that African country and dramatically destabilize the situation in the Sahara Sahel region in general,” Ministry officials said, according to state-run media.
