Foreign media: Military intervention is obstructed, and the Western Community holds a meeting of military leaders on the situation in Niger
On August 17th local time, military leaders of member countries of the Economic Community of West African States held a two-day meeting in Accra, the capital of Ghana, to discuss the situation in Niger. The Western Community stated that the majority of its member states are willing to join the "standby force". If efforts to mediate the Niger coup through diplomatic channels fail, the Western Community will intervene militarily. However, foreign media analysis suggests that military intervention in Niger still faces obstacles due to differences within the Western Community.
According to reports from Al Jazeera and Reuters on August 17th, the military leaders of member states of the Western European Community held a two-day meeting on the situation in Niger from that day on. On the 17th, Abdul Fatu Moussa, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Western Community, stated that except for "countries ruled by military governments and Cape Verde," other members of the Western Community are willing to join the "standby force.". He also stated that if efforts to resolve the Niger issue through diplomatic channels fail, "the brave forces of West Africa are ready to respond to the call of duty" and will take all means to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Al Jazeera reported that despite the strong rhetoric of the Western Community, there are differences within the organization regarding military intervention in the Niger coup. Burkina Faso and Mali, which are under military rule, have clearly stated that military intervention in the political situation of Niger is equivalent to declaring war on both countries. Guinea has also expressed its support for the Niger military government and stated that it will not participate in sanctions against Niger.
According to the Guardian, some countries that have agreed to military intervention in Niger are facing enormous domestic pressure. In early August, the Nigerian Senate rejected the military intervention plan in Niger. The opposition party in Ghana believes that military intervention in Niger lacks legal basis according to the country's constitution.
In addition, the African Union may become another obstacle. On August 14th local time, the African Union Peace and Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Niger. A diplomat stated in an interview with French media that the "difficult" meeting rejected the proposal for military intervention by the Western European Community, and "Southern and Northern African countries strongly oppose any military intervention.".
On July 26th, Niger experienced a sudden coup, in which some members of the Presidential Guard detained and dismissed democratically elected President Bazum. The National Defense Council, established by the military, took over state power and closed the border. This coup has sparked condemnation and sanctions from multiple countries, and the Western Community is demanding that the coup soldiers release Bazum, otherwise military intervention will be carried out. On August 10th, the Western Community announced the deployment of a "standby force" to respond to the situation in Niger.
On August 13th, a Nigerian religious scholar delegation stated after meeting with Niger's coup leader Chiani that the Niger military is open to resolving the current issue through diplomatic means and easing tensions with the Western Community. But on the evening of the 13th local time, Niger's coup soldiers announced that they would prosecute detained President Bazum on charges of treason.
