By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Moscow has cautioned regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against any intervention in Niger, saying it has capacity to breed “protracted confrontation”.
This is in response to ECOWAS’ revelation that it has put military on standby for intervention in Niger against the country’s military.
Late last month, Niger’s military ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and General Abdourahmane Tchiani took over as the country’s leader.
The ECOWAS issued a deadline to Niger’s military for the restoration of democracy that expired last Sunday.
Following the expiration, the bloc put a force on standby. The bloc says it is open to a diplomatic solution but a military intervention is on the table. The mobilisation with he standby order has also raised the stakes.
Countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have been highly affected by the jihadist violence, which is primary reason that has been adduced for the forceful power grab in Niger.
After the deadline to Niger’s military expired, the ECOWAS met in Nigeria’s Abuja on Thursday called for a deployment of a military force of the bloc “to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger”, said a statement by Omar Alieu Touray, President, ECOWAS Commission.
The scope of the force and the timeline of potential military intervention were not however mentioned. .
Russia however warned that military action in Niger would lead to “protracted confrontation” that would destabilise the entire Sahel region.
Even before the announcement of a standby force, Russia had been opposed to the idea of intervention.
“Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexey Zaitsev expressed Moscow’s ‘hope that the decision will be found within the framework of a diplomatic settlement’. And he reiterated Russia’s ‘negative attitude to any forceful methods’,” reported Newsweek.
Demonstrators supporting the coup in Niger have waved Russian flags in recent days in protest against France, the country’s former colonial rulers.
France and the United States have military bases in Niger from where they operate against the jihadists in the region.
“On Friday coup supporters, some waving Russian flags, protested at a French military base near the capital NIamey, some chanting ‘down with France, down with ECOWAS’,” BBC reported.
A report said that while there is no indication that Russia or Wagner Group, which has been active in Africa for years, played a role in the coup, they might definitely try to capitalise the emerging situation.
“U.S. officials have said there were no indications that Russia or its leading private military company, the Wagner Group, played any role in Niger’s upheaval. At the same time, they have alleged that the Kremlin and Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin may seek to capitalize on the unrest,” reported Newsweek.
A report further said that a senior Niger official sought support from Russia after the coup.
