NATIONAL NATIONAL News

Military Intervention In Niger Last Resort – ECOWAS

Written by Bunmi Abdulraheem

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says military intervention in Niger will be the last resort.

The West Africa regional bloc’s commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah told newsmen in Abuja, Nigeria that ECOWAS would have to prepare for the military intervention as it is an option already in consideration.

On Wednesday, as part of measures to mount pressure on the military juntas in Niger, Nigeria cut its power supply to that country just as France and the US began evacuating their citizens.

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs are currenting meeting in Abuja to chart new course of action seeking better ways to return the junta-ravaged country to democratic governance.

Musah added that an ECOWAS team headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar was in Niger for talks.

The regional bloc had earlier issued a one-week ultimatum to the military juntas in Niger to release the deposed President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum and return the country to democratic governance.