ALBAWABA - As the deadline for the new military junta to step down approaches, or else risk potential military intervention, France said it supports attempts by members of an African regional union to prevent the coup in Niger.
The leaders of the coup were given one week by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday to free and reinstall the nation's democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.
The military declared it would "take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order," including employing force if the junta remained in power.
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry stated that "the future of Niger and the stability of the entire region are at stake".
ECOWAS Intervention
This week, the defense chiefs of the ECOWAS assembled in Nigeria to prepare for a coordinated response to the coup and to make plans for a potential military intervention, which they describe as the last resort.
“All the elements that would go into any eventual intervention have been worked out here and are being refined, including the timing, including the resources needed, and including how and where and when we are going to deploy such a force,” said ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah.
To meet with the military coup leaders on Thursday, a group from the ECOWAS headed to Niamey, the capital of Niger. On state television a few hours later, the junta issued a warning that any military action would be greeted with "an immediate and unannounced response by Niger's defense and security forces".
