West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc intend to send a parliamentary committee to Niger to meet coup leaders who seized power last month, a spokesperson stated on Saturday, a part of a last channel regional attempt to restore civilian rule that includes religious leaders.
Niger’s military last month imprisoned it elected President Mohamed Bazoum and dissolved the government, drawing condemnation from regional powers which have activated a standby military force they are saying could be deployed as a final resort if talks fail.
Niger’s junta supporters take part in a demonstration in front of a French army base in Niamey
But coup leaders, headed by General Abdourahamane Tiani, have turndown diplomatic efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the USA and others, elevating the illusion of further conflict in the poverty-stricken Sahel region of West Africa, which is already overrun by using a lethal Islamist insurgency.
At stake isn’t just the destiny of Niger – a primary uranium producer and Western ally inside the combat in opposition to the Islamists – also the influence of rival international powers with strategic interests in West and Central Africa, where there have been seven coups in 3 years.
U.S., French, German and Italian troops are stationed in Niger, in a vicinity where local affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State have killed thousands and displaced millions of people.
Russian have an impact on has been growing as lack of confidence will increase, democracy erodes, and leaders are searching for new companions to restore order
The ECOWAS parliament met on Saturday to talk about further action in Niger. No decision was taken, rather the parliament set a committee that plans to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who holds ECOWAS’ revolving chairmanship, to get his permission to visit Niger, the spokesperson said.
An institution of distinguished Nigerian Islamic scholars led by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau also met with Tinubu to get the green light for an intervention, which Tinubu granted, a Nigerian presidential source stated on Saturday.
It was not clear if they were in Niger already, but their plan become to satisfy fellow clerics in Niger to easy over the diplomatic deadlock.
Russian Influence
Western powers worry Russian influence may increase if the junta in Niger follows neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso which expelled the troops of former colonial powers France after coups in the ones nations.
Mali has teamed up with mercenaries from Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, a move which has coincided with a spike in violence there. It has also kicked out a United Nations peacekeeping force, which security analysts fear could result in further war.
In Niger’s capital Niamey on Friday, hundreds tested in favour of the coup out of doors a French military base.
“Long live Russia,” one protester’s signal read. “Down with France … Down with ECOWAS.” Another said: “Wagner will protect our kids from terrorism.”
Regional army chiefs had been set to meet in the coming days.
If they chose to interfere, it was not clear how long the ECOWAS force would take to bring together, how large it would be and if it would clearly invade. Security analysts said it could take weeks to set up.
Only Ivory Coast has said what number of troops it would offer, and some, which includes Liberia and Cape Verde, have said they would opt for international relations. Russia has warned towards military movement.
Meanwhile, the African Union, the European Union, the US and the United Nations all said they were iworried about Bazoum’s detention.
UN Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Friday stated situations had been “rapidly deteriorating” and will amount to a violation of worldwide human rights law.
