The West African Economic Community will not ask the UN Security Council for permission to intervene militarily in the affairs of Niger. This was stated by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS Abdel-Fatau Musah.
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“When we went to Liberia and Sierra Leone, we did not ask the Security Council anything. We informed it after the fact. So why do we (consult with the organization’s Security Council) now? I will add that I know the UN well, and that in most cases, when “African countries say they are going to the Security Council, international blessing plays only a secondary role. In reality, they want to receive assistance in efforts, financial and material support,” he said.
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At the end of July, the Niger military announced on national television the removal of President Mohamed Bazum from power. Most Western leaders and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) regional organization condemned the coup.
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In early August, the members of the bloc adopted a plan in case of military intervention in Niger. Last week, the ECOWAS heads of state called for an early intervention in the country. This decision was supported by the United States and France. At the same time, it was specified that the chiefs of defense staffs of the member countries of the community would hold several more conferences to finalize the issues.
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ECOWAS has repeatedly carried out military interventions in member states of the community in order to restore displaced leaders to power or fight extremists. In particular, the organization intervened in the civil wars in Liberia (1989-1997) and Sierra Leone (1991-2002).
