Sierra Leone’s Information Minister, Chernoh Bah has said that the country will uphold any resolutions made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concerning the situation in Niger.

Addressing journalists’ queries about Sierra Leone’s stance on the recent coup in Niger, where the military deposed the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, Bah stated that Sierra Leone would stand with the decisions of ECOWAS.

This coup has faced criticism from Western nations and several West African counterparts.

The collective stance of the 15-member West African group includes potential military intervention if the military does not reinstate the ousted president. This decision followed an urgent ECOWAS conference.

ManoReporters reports that Bah, during the government’s weekly media briefing on Tuesday, remarked, “Sierra Leone was present during the ECOWAS meeting where the decision was made. Whether we attended or not, as an ECOWAS member, we stand by its resolutions.”

While Guinea, currently under military governance, supports the Nigerien military regime, fellow Mano River Union countries, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire, have denounced the coup. Cote d’Ivoire has even offered to contribute troops if ECOWAS decides on a military intervention.

The Sierra Leonean government had previously kept silent on the Niger crisis. Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Major General Peter Kakowou Lavahun, partook in an ECOWAS military chiefs’ gathering in Abuja, discussing possible military action plans.

Attending the press meeting at the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday, Major General Lavahun mentioned that the decision to deploy the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces in Niger lies with President Julius Maada Bio. He confirmed Sierra Leone’s ongoing pledge to the ECOWAS Standby Force and highlighted that any active involvement decision rests with higher authorities.

He clarified, “Our pledge remains. But any engagement on our part needs a directive from the highest governing body. I can’t commit to action in Niger without explicit orders from the top.”

Another ECOWAS meeting is set in Abuja for Thursday, with President Bio departing Freetown for Abuja, as per an official statement, to attend this conference.