Sierra Leone And West African Military Chiefs Finalize Plans For Potential Military Intervention in Niger

Military Chiefs from Sierra Leone and other West African countries are finalising plans for a possible military intervention.

The sub-regional bloc issued an ultimatum to coup leaders to hand over power to Mohamed Bazoum by Sunday or risk a possible military intervention.

The ultimatum has been scoffed by the Nigerien coup leaders and other Francophone West African countries.

Former French colonies, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea condemned the decision by ECOWAS. In a joint communique, both Mali and Burkina Faso warned the ECOWAS that any military intervention into Niger would be considered as an act of war against them.

Meanwhile, the US Secretary of States Anthony Blinken has supported the ECOWAS’ decision.

An ECOWAS military intervention into Niger would not be the first time the sub-regional bloc has conducted such.

In 2003, ECOWAS sent 2,500 soldiers in Liberia to depose then rebel leader, Charles Taylor.

Most recently in 2017, the sub-regional bloc sent troops to The Gambia to force then President, Yahya Jammeh to concede to Adama Barrow.

Experts have warned that West Africa is backsliding in democracy as the region is witnessing a rise in military coups in the past five years.

Currently, four countries are being ruled by military heads.

The Sierra Leone Security Sector announced several days ago that it arrested some military officers planning to cause unrest in the West African nation.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

Ibrahim s sesay | 2023-08-06 09:26:34

I don't think president Bio would allowed such moves because it would bring more harm than good to us as Sierra Leonean. I think the coup went peacefully so why the intervention? To restore what civilised slavery they called "DEMOCRACY" i think we as Africans prefers one thief than rotational CROOKS that has been killing us since independence...
| 2023-08-05 13:09:26

Just like the Liberian president STATED OWASSO must not allow rogue leaders in the disguise of democracy to subvert the will of their citizens, and when the military step in to correct their actions,which is part of their constitutional rights,you want to implore international community to fight for those rogue leaders.A case in point now is Sierraleone,where the illegal and illegitimate self style president rigged the elections and imposed himself as the president against the winner,and ECOWAS are not doing anything to save our democracy. When the military take over now,you will see ECOWAS coming to try and reinstate him.This is the same so-called president who is willing to send our troops to go and fight for a rogue president that was kicked out because of bad governance. Sad state
| 2023-08-05 12:47:35

This is senseless sending our brothers in another man's land to fight for what they are freeing themselves from They know their pain ECOWAS should understand that the West are not allowing them to tell them what to do in their own decision making so Africans should think it wisely before invading another African country
Patrick Dore | 2023-08-05 12:21:45

According to this piece, some of our senior Military Officers are involved in the planning to invade Niger. I would like to advise our dear leader not to get involved in this matter. Let the Nigeriens sort themselves out. With Guinea supporting the coup leaders and have said an attack on Niger is an attack on them, we should STOP and think of the dangers we will expose our country to. It only took Guinea to close their border on us, we have food shortages, no Onions. Guinea has a far stronger Military than us. "We have suffered enough. Leh we nor go buy trouble wit we yone han" LONTA
Patrick Dore | 2023-08-05 12:01:53

If African leaders want to avoid coup in the continent, let them start developing their countries and stop the massive embezzlement of public funds and corruption. Improve the lives of you citizens then there will be no coup. ECOWAS is becoming a club for corrupt African leaders. Bunch of thieves.
| 2023-08-05 11:54:23

ECOWAS is a disgrace . Why they didn't start the war in Guinea rather in Niger. Institutional coups are more dangerous than military coups
| 2023-08-05 11:50:19

You can not fight your black African brothers over the interests of the Westerners, ECOWAS Leadership are now clearly showing that they are controlled by the West.
Brima Amie Abdul kamara | 2023-08-05 11:31:07

If the purported West ECOWAS allowed the West to fool them to invade one of their member countries, definitely, the west has finally succeeded in colonizing Africa. But it is going to be a war in many countries . ECOWAS need to negotiate well before invasion, the United Nations chapters can take more than five years to negotiate before invading any country. AFRICAN LEASERS MUST REPRESENT THEIR PEOPLE WELL. INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE WEST TO TELL THEM WHAT TO DO, NO AFRICAN LEADERS HAS SAYING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION