All eyes are on the Nigerian capital, Abuja, which hosts an extraordinary summit for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding deadlines given to the coup leaders in Niger.
Hours prior to the summit, the coup leaders in Niger met with two envoys from Nigeria, which currently chairs the ECOWAS, without any disclosure concerning the results of these meetings. The junta in Niger declared a state of high alert within their country’s military, in anticipation of a possible foreign intervention resulting from the ECOWAS summit.
In parallel, non-ECOWAS countries neighboring Niger are also moving in an attempt to win the initiative. A phone call between the President of Chad, Mohamed Deby, and Libyan Vice President of the Presidential Council, Musa Al-Koni, was made to coordinate efforts regarding the Niger crisis. Deby stated that his country is ready to take practical steps so that neighboring countries of Niger that are not members of the ECOWAS group, namely Libya, Chad and Algeria, can undertake mediation efforts in Niger.
The Libyan Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity (GNU) share the position of rejecting the Niger coup, in line with the official positions of countries in the region such as Algeria and Chad.
Prior to the Abuja summit, the head of the GNU, Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, affirmed Libya’s position which is also in line with the ECOWAS group and the African Union regarding the situation in Niger.
During his meeting with Niger’s ambassador to Libya, Asyad Ag Kato, Dbeibah stressed the need to maintain stability and not allow chaos, warning of negative repercussions on Niger and neighboring countries as well.
Niger witnessed a military coup end of last month which deposed elected President Mohamed Bazoum, after which a military council has been governing the country since.
Source: News Agencies + Government of National Unity
