ECOWAS Sends Delegation to Niger for Negotiations with Coup Leaders

The Commissioner of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdoulaye Moussa, revealed that a delegation from the organization is in Niger, led by Nigeria, to negotiate with the coup leaders who took power last week. ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger, stating that it may use force if the coup leaders do not restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power within a week from Sunday. Moussa said, "The military option is the last resort on the table, the final refuge, but we must be prepared for that possibility." As the heads of ECOWAS military forces began a two-day meeting in the Nigerian capital Abuja, Moussa added, "There is a need to show that we cannot just talk but that we can also take action." The delegation sent to Niger is led by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, who arrived today to initiate talks with the military council. For his part, the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria and Chair of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, Christopher Moussa, stated, "The mission to restore democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential obstacles and complexities."