The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ready to send forces to Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is ready to send its forces to Niger as soon as leaders of member-states approve the intervention, an official said Friday.

West African military chiefs fine-tune details of possible armed intervention

On the second day of talks in Accra, Ghana, West African military chiefs “fine-tuned” details of possible armed intervention, said Abdel-Fatau Musah, an ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs and security.

Leaders still favor dialogue and consider diplomatic mission to Niger

“We are ready to go any time the order is given,” said Musah. “The D-Day is also decided,” he added.

But the leaders also stressed they still favored dialogue, and that ECOWAS might send a diplomatic mission to Niger on Saturday, he said.

Peaceful resolution remains an option

“Tomorrow there is the possibility of an ECOWAS mission going into Niger to continue to pursue the peaceful path to restoration of constitutional order.

“We are ready to resolve the issue peacefully but it takes two to tango,” Musah said.

“If they want to take the peaceful pathway to the very early restoration of constitutional order then we are ready to stand down the military option,” he added.

Previous delegations have failed to meet Niger’s new strongman General Abdourahamane Tiani.