ECOWAS says didn’t completely abandon idea of invading Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) hasn’t completely abandoned the idea of invading Niger, where rebels have come to power. The association ‘only suspended’ consideration of this scenario, hoping for the effect of sanctions, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said, Report informs referring to Jeune Afrique.

“I wouldn’t say that we abandoned the military option. We suspended its implementation, waiting for the sanctions to bring results. We already have evidence that they are having an impact on the junta,” he said in an interview with the magazine.

Musah added that ECOWAS never said military intervention ‘is the first option’ to put pressure on the rebels. The community used sanctions and tried to use diplomatic means to ‘reach consensus.’ “Now Niger is in international isolation and is subject to sanctions,” said a representative of the organization.

It was previously reported that the rebels who came to power in Niger refused to take part in at least three meetings with ECOWAS representatives. The military maintains contact only with Togo, one of the member countries of the association.