Niger putschists say threat of ‘imminent military intervention’ by ECOWAS

Niger’s junta said Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital Niamey as the regional bloc was due to hold an “extraordinary summit” on July 29 over the coup in the Sahel state.

Niger’s junta said ECOWAS could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital Niamey as the regional bloc was due to hold an “extraordinary summit” on July 29 over the coup in the Sahel state.

Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has been held by the military for four days, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the chief of the powerful presidential guard, has declared himself leader.

Former colonial ruler France and the European Union have suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger following the coup, the latest to hit the turbulent Sahel region.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was scheduled to meet in Nigeria’s capital Abuja for the summit on Niger, with sanctions a possibility.

In a statement read out on national television on Saturday evening, Niger junta member Amadou Abdramane said the summit’s aim was to “approve a plan of aggression against Niger, in the form of an imminent military intervention in Niamey”.

The action would be “in cooperation with African countries who are not members of the regional body and certain Western nations”, he added.

Thousands of pro-junta protesters gathered outside the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday, with some trying to enter the building, an AFP journalist saw.