The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened Niger’s junta to send foreign troops into the country to restore order if they do not restore the legitimate power.

The official statement of the Community announced this at the July 30 summit.

At a summit meeting, West African leaders have given Niger’s military junta one week to hand over power to a legitimate government, warning that the community will “use force” if the country refuses. Countries also imposed immediate financial sanctions.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States has called for the “immediate release and reinstatement” of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained by the military along with his family since Wednesday, July 26.

“If the demands of the authorities are not met within one week, (ECOWAS – ed.) will take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures might include the use of force. For this, the chiefs of defense staff of the ECOWAS members should meet immediately,” the joint statement of the summit outlined.

ECOWAS announced a “suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger,” which is part of the bloc, as well as a freeze on energy transactions.

Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, Niger’s Prime Minister, stated the ECOWAS sanctions will be disastrous as the country relies heavily on international partners to cover its budget needs.

Coup in the Republic of Niger

On July 27, members of the presidential guard staged a coup by arresting the current President of the country, Mohamed Bazoum.

The very next day, Friday, July 28, General Omar Tchiani announced on state television that the President would be removed and all state structures in the country dissolved. Tchiani announced himself as the head of the transitional council that will take power in the country.

In his first speech as head of the transitional council, General Omar Tchiani backed criticism of the previous Nigerian government’s lack of cooperation with the military juntas of Mali and Burkina Faso in the fight against Islamist rebels in the Sahel region.

The country’s military leadership sided with Tchiani. This made it possible to avoid a split within the power wing of the government and serious clashes.

According to some information, the possible reason for the putsch was Mohamed Bazoum’s attempt to dislodge Tchiani from his position, explaining it by the general’s advanced age.