Ultimatum countdown against Niger coup plotters

The pressure of the international community increased this Saturday on the coup leaders who took power in Nigeron the eve of the end of the ultimatum of the bloc of west africa (cedeao) who said he was willing to intervene militarily.

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The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (cedeao) defined on Friday a plan for a possible military intervention to reverse the coup that overthrew the president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 in Niger.

“All the elements of a possible intervention were defined, including the necessary resources and how and when we are going to deploy that force”, said the commissioner of Political Affairs and Security of the cedeao, Abdel Fatau Musahat the conclusion of a meeting in Abuja.

Protesters hold a banner in support of the Niger junta during an independence day demonstration in Niamey. (Photo by AFP) (-/)

On July 30, four days after the coup, the cedeao He gave the coup leaders seven days, that is, until this Sunday night, to restore Bazoum to his position, under penalty of using “the force”.

various armies of west africasuch as SenegalThey said they were ready to send soldiers.

Also the one of Ivory Coast could participate, said a source close to the Ivorian delegation in abuja. “The decision to intervene is in the hands of politicians,” added.

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diplomatic solution

Mali and Burkina Faso, also governed by coup leaders and suspended from the authorities of the cedeaosupported the military of Niger and said that any intervention would be considered as “a declaration of war” Against them.

Chada major African military power and neighbor of Niger, not a member of the cedeaoannounced that he will not participate in any intervention and that he advocates dialogue.

The putschists of Nigerheaded by General Abdourahamane TianiThey promised aimmediate response” to “any aggression”.

The diplomatic solution remains a priority for the cedeao.

Niger’s junta said it was scrapping military pacts made between Niamey and France after last week’s coup. (Photo by AFP) (-/)

Several western foreign ministries also insist on dialogue.

Germany asked to continue with the “mediation efforts”and France stressed this Saturday that it supports “with firmness and determination” the efforts of the cedeao to reverse the blow State in Niger.

“The threat of resorting to intervention by these countries should be taken very seriously”, declared the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna.

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Citizen “surveillance”

After France, Germany and the Netherlands, USAimportant partner of Nigersuspended aid programs, although it maintained its “vital” humanitarian aid.

aid to the government “It depends on democratic governance and respect for the constitutional order”said on Friday the head of US diplomacy, Anthony Blinken.

In Niamey, in recent days there have been several demonstrations that have brought together hundreds or thousands of people who support the coup leaders.

“Niger It will be the tomb of the ‘Cedeao of the heads of state’, to give way to the ‘cedeao of the towns‘”said on Friday before about 200 young people the general secretary of the Union of Students of Niger, Bakin Batoure Almoustapha.

The military junta called “the people of Niger to be vigilant” in view of “spies and foreign armed forces”and asked him to communicate “any information related to the entry or movement of suspicious persons”according to a decree broadcast Thursday on television.

Relations between the military junta of Niger and the former colonial power France They have deteriorated rapidly.

The coup leaders withdrew on Thursday from the cooperation agreements in the field of security and defense with France, which is deploying a military contingent of 1,500 soldiers in Niger for the anti-jihadist fight.

Source: Elcomercio