Delegation of ECOWAS, which threatens military intervention, arrives in Niger

The West African diplomatic mission arrived in Niger a day after issuing an ultimatum to the military leaders to reinstate the pro-Western president who was toppled on July 26.

The delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which according to analysts, represents Western interests in the region, arrived in the Niger capital, Niamey, on Saturday.

According to US journalist Abayomi Azikiwe, "The ECOWAS are merely code words which indicate that Washington favors a return to the status quo under ousted President Mohamed Bazoum."

A plane carrying the delegation landed in the capital Niamey at around 1:00 pm (1200 GMT), a day after the bloc's military chiefs said they were ready to intervene to reinstate the ousted President.

Niger's governing military council confirmed the arrival of the ECOWAS representatives, headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Sources close to ECOWAS and Bazoum said the delegation should seek diplomatic mediation with the junta leaders who have taken power in Niger.

A previous ECOWAS delegation led by Abubakar earlier this month tried and failed to meet Bazoum and the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani.

A source close to the latest delegation said it would send "a message of firmness" to the army officers and meet Bazoum.

ECOWAS had earlier threatened that a task force was ready to be deployed in Niger; adding that a "peaceful solution" would continue to be sought.

The defense chiefs of the 15-member said on Friday that they are ready to act whenever an order is given.

"We are ready to go anytime the order is given," ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said during the closing ceremony. "The D-Day is also decided, which we are not going to disclose."

Musah emphasized the ECOWAS delegation would pursue "the peaceful path to restoring constitutional order".  If the military leadership in Niger is open to a peaceful solution, ECOWAS will refrain from military intervention, he stressed. In any case, this is not "the preferred option" for the international community.

"The decision is that the coup in Niger is one coup too many for the region, and we are putting a stop to it at this time, we are drawing the line in the sand," Musah said.

SS