Ignoring the call of the Nigerian president and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for dialogue, the regional body has taken a significant step by issuing an order for military action against the junta in Niger Republic at the Extraordinary Summit on the socio-political situation in Niger Republic.
Meanwhile, as the summit was holding, the Military junta, formed a 21-member new government led by Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
The regional body has Directed the Committee of the Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS Standby Force with all its elements immediately.
The order for military action comes after extensive diplomatic efforts and negotiations aimed at peacefully resolving the crisis. This move by ECOWAS signifies a crucial moment in addressing political challenges and affirming the organisation’s dedication to maintaining democratic governance, but, many say, it also creates several security challenges that may be hard to reverse in the coming years.
