The nations of West Africa have not given up hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Niger, but on Friday they began making preparations for a possible military intervention.
The Nigerien military’s ouster of former President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 marked the seventh coup in West and Central Africa over the past three years. This coup raised the possibility of additional unrest in an already unstable and impoverished region battling an Islamist uprising.
Unanswered questions included the size of the force, whether or not it would actually invade, and which countries would contribute. Assembling the ECOWAS force could take weeks or longer, allowing time for negotiations.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara told reporters Thursday that he viewed the detention of Bazoum as a terrorist act and that his country would contribute a battalion to the force. The summit of African leaders was held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
Niger is a poor nation rich in uranium and a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region.
The military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are members of ECOWAS, have stated that they are going to protect the junta in Niger.