BREAKING: Tension as ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Express Readiness to Storm Niger

• The ECOWAS Defence Chiefs have expressed their readiness and commitment to restore civil rule in the Niger Republic
• ECOWAS commissioner, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said Defence Chiefs of all member states are committed to the cause except those under military rule and Cape Verde
• Nigeria's Defence Chief, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, also said his colleagues from the regional bloc stand for democracy

Accra, Ghana - The Defence Chiefs of the 15 countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have expressed their readiness to be part of the standby force that could restore democratic rule in the Niger Republic.

Following the military coup orchestrated by the Presidential Guards in the Niger Republic and the seizure of power from President Mohamed Bazoum, the West African group issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military junta to restore power or risk sanctions, including the use of force.

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Details of ECOWAS, Niger face off

But the Niger's military junta dismissed the threat by the ECOWAS and vowed to resist any intervention from the international community, Aljazeera reported.

In its reactions, the ECOWAS asked Defence Chiefs from its member states to activate its standby force to ensure that democracy is restored in the country.

At its meeting in Accra city, the capital of Ghana, on Thursday, August 17, the Defence Chiefs expressed their readiness to restore civil rule in the neighbouring Niger.

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs reveal stance on Niger Coup plotters

According to the report, all member states except those under military rule and Cape Verde have pledged to participate in the standby force.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS commissioner, was reported to have commented.

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Niger Coup: War knocks as ECOWAS military chiefs meet over junta

The report then quoted the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, stating their position against the coup plotters.

He said:

“Democracy is what we stand for, and it’s what we encourage,

“The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promote stability.”

Niger: ECOWAS defence chiefs to meet in Ghana on plan to oust military junta

Legit.ng earlier reported that the ECOWAS military chiefs from the 11 member states would meet in Ghana on Thursday to deliberate on the next step to take out the military junta in the Niger Republic.

Recall that the meeting was earlier scheduled for last Saturday but was suspended for technical reasons.

The military chiefs will now be meeting in Accra for two days following the resolution of the ECOWAS leaders.

Source: Legit.ng