This statement came as the German government expressed its support for the sanctions imposed on the military junta in the country by the European Union (EU).
It's noteworthy that during ECOWAS Heads of State and Government's second extraordinary summit in Abuja last week, they activated their standing force in case the junta in Niger refuses to reinstate the ousted president of the country, Mohamed Bazoum.
The threat emerged as defense chiefs of member states convened in the Ghanaian capital to strategize on Niger's next steps and discuss details of the standby force. The meeting is continuing today.
“Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa...are ready to answer to the call of duty.
“By all means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country,” declared ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah.
He cited past ECOWAS deployments in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and elsewhere as examples of readiness for military action.
Musah dismissed accusations that ECOWAS is being manipulated by France or any other outside power.
“What they forget is that ECOWAS is a rules-based organization. We have our protocols, we have our norms, and we are ready to protect them.
“That's why the Heads of State are saying that if push comes to shove, we are going into Niger with our contingents, equipment, and resources to ensure the restoration of constitutional order. If other democracy-loving partners want to support us, they are welcome," he emphasized.
Musah accused the Niger coup leaders of “playing cat-and-mouse” with ECOWAS by refusing to meet with its envoys and seeking justifications for their takeover of power.
He mentioned that most of the bloc’s 15 member states are prepared to participate in the standby force that could intervene in Niger. However, the exceptions are those also under military rule, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and the small Cape Verde.
He criticized the junta’s announcement that it had the elements to put Bazoum, who is detained, on trial for treason.
