The Pentagon has expressed its stance on whether to continue cooperating with the Western Community | Niger | The Pentagon
According to the website of Newsweek on August 10th, the US Department of Defense's Africa Command stated that it is developing measures to ensure the safety of personnel deployed in Niger.
A spokesperson for the African Command told Newsweek reporters that the command is monitoring the situation in Niger and the US military will continue to take cautious measures to protect soldiers deployed in the country.
The report pointed out that just before the spokesperson made the above statement, the Western Community announced after the emergency summit on the 10th that due to the refusal of Niger's military leader Abdulrahman Chiani to return power to President Mohammad Bazum, the Western Community will activate regional standing forces to prepare for the restoration of Niger's constitutional order.
Earlier on the 10th, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Reid said that the situation of the US military deployed in Niger has "not changed", and "the focus of the US government is still on diplomatic resolution."
When asked if the US military will continue its counter-terrorism cooperation with the National Defense Committee established by the Niger coup soldiers, Reid said he "does not want to speculate.".
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and was once an important partner of Western governments in combating Islamic terrorism in the Sahel region. There are about 1100 US troops stationed in the country, and US personnel have been training local forces to combat rebel groups.
On July 26th, some soldiers of the Niger Presidential Guard detained President Bazum. Late that night, representatives of the coup soldiers announced on national television the establishment of the National Committee for Defending the Motherland, lifting President Bazum's authority and allowing the military regime to take over national affairs. The leaders of the Western Community held an emergency meeting on July 30th, demanding that Niger soldiers involved in the coup immediately release Bazum and restore his authority. If the relevant requirements are not met within a week, the Western Community will take all measures, including military intervention, to ensure the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
On August 10th, Nigerian coup soldiers announced on national television a decree signed by their leader Chiani, announcing the establishment of a new government.
Leaders from multiple countries have agreed to "intervene militarily as soon as possible"
According to Agence France Presse on August 10th, Ivory Coast President Alasane Ouattara stated that the Economic Community of West African States supports the prompt implementation of military intervention in Niger.
The report states that the Western Community held an emergency summit on the situation in Niger in the Nigerian capital Abuja on the 10th. The organization instructed the Chief of Staff Committee of National Defense to immediately activate the regional standing forces to restore constitutional order in the country where a military coup occurred.
The President of Cote d'Ivoire said, "The Chief of Staff will hold several more meetings to finalize these issues, but regional leaders have agreed to take action as soon as possible."
According to the report, Vatara pointed out that Cote d'Ivoire will provide a battalion consisting of 850 to 1100 people. In addition, Nigeria, Benin, and other countries will also send soldiers.
He added, "We are full of determination to restore the power of the President of Niger."
The United States and France support the decision of the Western Community.
