Miger Puts Military On 'Maximum Alert'

Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, addresses supporters of Niger's ruling junta in Niamey on Aug. 6, 2023. The junta ordered its armed forces to go on highest alert on Aug. 25, 2023.

Al Jazeera: Niger puts military on ‘maximum alert’ over ECOWAS attack fears  

Move comes as thousands gather at a stadium in the capital Niamey in support of the coup-makers. 

The new military rulers in Niger ordered the armed forces to go on maximum alert citing an increased threat of attack. 

The main West African bloc ECOWAS has been trying to negotiate with the leaders of the July 26 coup, but has said it is ready to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail. 

An internal document issued by its defence chief, which was shared widely online on Saturday, said the order to be on the highest state of readiness would allow forces to respond adequately in case of any attack and “avoid a general surprise”. 

“Threats of aggression to the national territory are increasingly being felt,” it said.  

Read more .... 

 Update #1: Niger orders troops to go on 'maximum alert' (Reuters)  

Update #2: Niger preparing against possibility of aggression as tensions run high (Anadolu Agency)  

Update #3: Niger junta orders troops on maximum alert in case of attack (France 24)  

WNU Editor: The French Ambassador has also been told to leave the country .... Niger junta gives French envoy 48 hours to leave (DW).

Niger, Burkina Faso And Mali Agree To Form A Military Pact

Niger's new military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani reading a statement on national television on August 19, 2023. © AFP  

Reuters: Niger allows Mali, Burkina Faso troops to enter its territory in case of attack 

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Niger has authorised Mali and Burkina Faso's armed forces to intervene on its territory in case of an attack, the countries said in a joint statement on Thursday, a possible sign the junta in Niger plans to keep resisting regional pressure to stand down. 

The main West African bloc ECOWAS has been trying to negotiate with the coup leaders but warned it is ready to send troops into Niger to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail. 

Any escalation risks further destabilising the insurgency-torn region as Niger's junta-led neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso, have said they would back Niger in any conflict with ECOWAS. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Niger junta authorises Burkina Faso, Mali armies to intervene ‘in the event of aggression’ -- France 24 

Update #2: Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali form military pact -- DW  

WNU Editor: The last thing this region needs is a regional war between nations.

Algeria Refuses French Request To Use Its Airspace For Military Operations In Niger

France has about 1,500 troops in Niger that were stationed there before last month’s coup. (File/AFP)  

Reuters: Algeria refuses French request to fly over its airspace for military operation in Niger 

* Algeria opposes any foreign military action in Niger and favors diplomacy 

DUBAI: Algeria has refused a French request to fly over its airspace for a military operation in Niger, state radio said late on Monday, after a July 26 coup in the West African nation that lies south of the Algerian border. 

Algeria opposes any foreign military action in Niger and favors diplomacy to restore constitutional order, state radio said. France has about 1,500 troops in Niger that were stationed there before last month’s coup. 

It is not clear what military operation Algeria was referring to, but France has not said it would intervene militarily to overturn the military takeover.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: Algeria denies passage for French military aircraft to Niger (New Arab)  

Update #2: Algeria Refuses French Military Request To Use Airspace To Intervene In Niger -- I24 News  

WNU Editor: It looks like ECOWAS is backtracking on launching a military offensive on Niger .... African Union issues ambiguous view on possible Niger military intervention (The Guardian). More here .... ‘Nobody Wants to Go to War’ Over Niger Crisis, Ecowas Envoy Says (Bloomberg).

African Union Suspends Niger Over Coup

 

Al Jazeera: African Union suspends Niger with immediate effect over July 26 coup  

The AU said on Tuesday that it had noted ECOWAS’s plan of action regarding Niger and would ‘evaluate its repercussions’. 

The African Union has suspended Niger from the continental bloc with immediate effect, the latest of a number of sanctions on the West African country since last month’s coup. 

The decision, announced on Tuesday after a meeting of the AU’s Peace and Security Council in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, comes after several Western countries cut aid to Niger due to a July 26 coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.  

Read more .... 

African Union Suspends Niger Over Coup  

The African Union suspends Niger until ‘the effective restoration of constitutional order’ -- AP  

African Union suspends Niger from its organization until constitutional order restored -- FOX News 

African Union suspends Niger in crackdown over coup -- CNN 

The African Union suspends Niger until 'the effective restoration of constitutional order' -- The Canadian Press  

Niger: AU plans sanctions against junta’s supporters -- Vanguard

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Agree On An Undisclosed ‘D-Day’ Date For Niger Military Intervention

 

RFI: West African bloc says undisclosed 'D-Day' set for possible Niger intervention  

West Africa's main regional bloc on Friday said it had agreed an undisclosed "D-Day" for a possible military intervention to restore democracy in Niger if diplomatic efforts fail, stressing that it would not hold endless dialogue with the defiant junta.  

The comments came at the end of a two-day meeting of West African army chiefs in Ghana's capital Accra, where they have been hashing out the logistics and strategy for a possible use of force in Niger. 

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has said such action would be a last resort. "We are ready to go anytime the order is given," Ecowas Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said during the closing ceremony. 

"The D-Day is also decided, which we are not going to disclose." He said a peaceful resolution remained the bloc's preferred option.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The junta in Niger is preparing itself for such an intervention .... Thousands of Niger junta supporters overwhelm call for civilian volunteers (Reuters). More here .... War unnecessary, but we’re ready to defend ourselves, Niger junta tells ECOWAS (PUNCH). 

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Agree On An Undisclosed ‘D-Day’ Date For Niger Military Intervention  

ECOWAS says 'D-Day' set for possible Niger intervention -- Reuters  

ECOWAS sets ‘D-Day’ for possible military intervention in Niger -- CNN  

ECOWAS defence chiefs agree ‘D-day’ for Niger military intervention -- Al Jazeera

West African Army Chiefs Meet To Finalise A Possible Niger Military Intervention

West African militaries meet to finalise possible Niger intervention. ECOWAS Committee's meeting in Accra 

Reuters: West African militaries meet to finalise possible Niger intervention 

ACCRA/NIAMEY (Reuters) - West African army chiefs were due to hold a second and final day of talks on Friday in Ghana's capital Accra, where they have been hashing out the details of a possible military intervention in Niger if diplomacy fails to reverse a military coup. 

Military officers deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and have defied calls from the United Nations, the West African bloc ECOWAS and others to reinstate him, prompting regional powers to order a standby force to be assembled. 

During their two-day meeting, which ends with a closing ceremony from around 1600 GMT, defence chiefs have been discussing logistics and other aspects of a possible deployment, according to the official schedule.  

Read more ....  

Update: West African bloc prepared for military intervention after Niger coup (The Guardian).  

WNU Editor: The media campaign to justify a military intervention is starting .... A leading politician says victory for Niger’s coup leaders would be ‘the end of democracy’ in Africa (AP).

West African Bloc ECOWAS Says 'We Are Going Into Niger' If All Else Fails

 

Reuters: West African bloc says 'we are going into Niger' if all else fails 

ACCRA/NIAMEY (Reuters) -The West African bloc ECOWAS stands ready to intervene militarily in Niger should diplomatic efforts to reverse a coup there fail, a senior official told army chiefs who were meeting in Ghana on Thursday to discuss the details of a standby force. 

Niger military officers deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and have defied calls from the United Nations, ECOWAS and Western powers to reinstate him, prompting West African heads of state to order the standby force to be assembled. 

"Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa...are ready to answer to the call of duty," ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: West African bloc prepared for military intervention after Niger coup (The Guardian)  

Update #2: 'We are going into Niger' if all else fails: West Africa bloc (TRT)  

WNU Editor: ECOWAS is an economic institution. Not a military alliance. Such an intervention can only occur if the US and France provide the logistical support to transport these Western African bloc forces into Niger. But many are already warning that such an intervention will only destabilize the entire region .... Russia warns of “protracted confrontation” if Ecowas invades Niger (Military Africa). 

As to what is my take. 

An intervention of this magnitude will only lay the groundwork for another failed state to develop in Africa. One only has to look across the Niger border to Libya to see what Western intervention in African affairs usually ends up as.,

Niger Calls For Mass Mobilisation Amid Trheats From The Ecowas Bloc To Invade

 

The Guardian: Niger coup backers call for mass mobilisation amid military threat from regional bloc 

As Ecowas chiefs prepare to meet to discuss possible action against junta, civic group says ‘we need to be ready’ Supporters of the Nigerien junta are calling for the mass mobilisation of citizens against the threat of military action by a west African regional bloc that is calling for the restoration of the country’s deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum. 

With a delayed meeting of military chiefs of staff of the Ecowas bloc scheduled to take place later this week, regional tensions over the July coup against Bazoum appeared to be deepening, despite the junta’s efforts to suggest they were open to talks.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: There has been a deadly clash between Niger forces and rebel groups near the border of Mali/Burkina Faso .... More than a dozen Niger soldiers killed in attack near Mali border (Al Jazeera). More here .... Niger: at least 17 soldiers killed in an attack near Mali (AFP).  

Update: U.S. is being asked by some Ecowas governments about the potential of American intervention in Niger coup (video below). 

France Accuses U.S. Of Betrayal Over Niger

 

Daily Telegraph (New Zealand): France furious with US over Niger – Le Figaro 

Washington has chosen its own interests over its allies, a French diplomat has told the newspaper, following Victoria Nuland’s visit to Niger. 

The presence of the ‘Maidan midwife,’ US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, in post-coup Niger has enraged Washington’s NATO ally, France, Le Figaro reported over the weekend, citing a source within the French Foreign Ministry. 

The US “did the exact opposite of what we thought they would do,” a French diplomatic source told the paper, adding that “with allies like these, we do not need enemies.” 

Paris has been insisting on the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum ever since a new military government came to power in Niger in a coup in late July. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: France's influence in the region is declining, and even the Americans know it .... Niger is Latest African Country Where France’s Fortunes are Fading (New York Times). More here .... The Niger crisis shows France’s quasi-empire in Africa is finally crumbling (Nabila Ramdani, The Guardian).

Niger's Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum Faces 'High Treason' Charges

 

CNN: Niger junta says ‘high treason’ evidence gathered to prosecute ousted president Bazoum 

Niger’s junta claimed Sunday it had gathered evidence to prosecute the country’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason,” upping the stakes in their brinkmanship against key neighbors in West Africa who have vowed to restore constitutional order in the coup-hit country. 

“The Nigerien government has to date, gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international authorities for high treason and undermining internal and external security of Niger,” said a statement by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) of Niger, the military council that toppled the government in July.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Niger’s coup leaders say they will prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum for ‘high treason’ (AP)  

Update #2: Niger's junta says it has evidence to try ousted president for treason (UPI)  

WNU Editor: It looks like Niger's military rulers have the upper hand .... Niger’s junta has gained upper hand over West African bloc threatening military action, analysts say (AP).

Niger Coup Leaders Confident Of Holding On To Power

 

Al Jazeera: West African bloc scraps crisis meeting on Niger coup 

As ECOWAS leaders fail to meet, concerns over the deteriorating health of deposed President Bazoum mount. 

An emergency meeting of West African nations on the coup in Niger has been postponed indefinitely as concerns over the health of detained President Mohammed Bazoum increase. 

Members of the Economic Cooperation of West African Nations (ECOWAS) were due to meet in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, on Saturday to discuss how to tackle the Niger crisis after they approved the deployment of a stand-by force to restore constitutional order.  

Read more .... 

More News On The Coup In Niger  

Niger’s junta gains the upper hand over the regional bloc threatening military force, analysts say -- AP  

West Africa in another bid to engage with Niger coup leaders -- Reuters  

ECOWAS cancels Niger meeting as parliament plans to meet putschists -- Daily Sabah  

Niger's detained president seen by doctor, ECOWAS suspends military meeting -- France 24  

Niger Activist With Ties to Junta Says Region Needs to ‘Accept New Regime’ or Risk War -- AP  

Defiant leaders of Niger coup confident of holding on to power -- The Guardian

West African Nations Prepare To Send Troops To Niger

 

CNN: ECOWAS orders ‘immediate activation’ of standby force in Niger  

West African leaders on Thursday ramped up the rhetoric against Niger’s coup leaders, ordering the “activation” and the “deployment” of a regional standby force to restore constitutional order in the coup-hit country. 

Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria after the expiration of the one-week ultimatum they gave to the Niger’s military junta, leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for a deployment “to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” according to a statement read by Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. 

 It was not immediately clear what the “deployment” and “activation” of the force would entail. 

The statement also emphasized a “determination to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.”  

Read more .... 

 WNU Editor: There is a great deal of expectation that France will be part of this ECOWAS intervention force. But there a lot of eyes are on what will the US do. There are currently over 1,000 US soldiers in Niger .... U.S. Forces Under 'Protection Measures' As African Troops Deploy for Niger (Newsweek). 

My expectation is that the US is going to get involved. I view the visit earlier this week by U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland to Niger as a trip whose sole purpose was to deliver an ultimatum .... U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland Held 'Difficult' Talks With Niger's Junta Officials (August 7, 2023).  

West African Nations Prepare To Send Troops To Niger 

West Africa army chiefs to meet in coming days to discuss Niger plans - spokesman -- Reuters  

Tensions rise as West African nations prepare to send troops to restore democracy in Niger -- AP  

West African Countries Plan to Deploy Standby Troops in Niger -- Bloomberg  

West African leaders activate standby force to put pressure on junta in Niger -- The Guardian

West Africa ECOWAS Nations To Assemble 'Standby Force' For Possible Niger Intervention

 

BBC: Niger coup: West Africa nations to assemble 'standby force' 

West African nations have approved armed intervention in Niger "as soon as possible", the Ivory Coast president says, following a meeting to discuss the coup. 

At the meeting, leaders of the Ecowas regional bloc said they had agreed to assemble a "standby" military force. 

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu said the use of force would be a "last resort". A military junta seized power in Niger on July 26. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There are few options for ECOWAS to overturn Niger's coup .... Few Options on Niger Crisis for West African Leaders (NewYork Times). 

West Africa ECOWAS Nations To Assemble 'Standby Force' For Possible Niger Intervention  

Niger coup: West African bloc activates standby force for possible intervention -- Reuters 

ECOWAS orders ‘immediate activation’ of standby force in Niger -- CNN  

ECOWAS mobilizes reserve force as Niger crisis remains unsolved -- Washington Post  

Western officials: Niger junta warned they'd kill deposed president after any military intervention -- AP  

West African leaders activate standby force to put pressure on junta in Niger -- The Guardian  

ECOWAS leaders say all options open in Niger, including ‘use of force’ -- Al Jazeera

Niger Coup Leaders Accuse France Of Violating Its Airspace, Attacking National Guard Troops, And Freeing Rebel Prisoners

 

Al Jazeera: Niger coup leaders accuse French forces of destabilising the country 

Coup leaders say French forces freed ‘captured terrorists’ and breached airspace ban, as France denies all allegations. 

Coup leaders in Niger have accused French forces of freeing captured “terrorists” and breaching a ban on the country’s air space in an attempt to destabilise Niger, as France promptly rejected the allegations. 

Soldiers from the country’s presidential guard seized power and detained President Mohammad Bazoum on July 26, triggering international condemnation and the threat of a military incursion by neighbouring West African nations. The coup leaders closed Nigerien air space on Sunday and have warned against any foreign intervention.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Niger junta accuses France of violating airspace, freeing terrorists -- AFP  

Update #2: Niger accuses France of releasing captured militants on eve of key summit -- The National  

WNU Editor: My gut tells me that France in the coming weeks/months will intervene in Niger to remove the generals, but they will do so behind a token ECOWAS intervention force.

Former Niger Rebel Leader Launches Movement To Oppose The Generals That Took Power Last Month

Members of a military council that staged a coup in Niger attend a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023 [Mahamadou Hamidou/Reuters]  

Reuters: Niger ex-rebel launches anti-coup movement in first sign of internal resistance 

NIAMEY (Reuters) -A former rebel leader and politician in Niger has launched a movement opposing the junta that took power in a July 26 coup, a first sign of internal resistance to army rule in the strategically important Sahel country. 

Rhissa Ag Boula said in a statement seen on Wednesday that his new Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) aimed to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been in detention at his residence since the takeover.

"Niger is the victim of a tragedy orchestrated by people charged with protecting it," the statement said.  

Read more ....  

Update: Former Niger rebel launches anti-coup movement as impasse continues (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: The timing of this announcement makes me wonder if this is a Western intelligence/special forces operation .... Niger junta accuses France of violating airspace, destabilising country (Reuters).

Update #2: Why am I not surprised (see twee below).

Libyan social networks report the arrival of a French military transport vessel at the Al-Wig base in southern Libya. pic.twitter.com/uhYjooF8cP

— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) August 9, 2023

Secretary of State Blinken Says US Supports ECOWAS Efforts To Bring Back Order In Niger

 

Financial Times: Blinken backs West African efforts to restore Niger’s constitutional order  

US secretary of state’s comments come after his deputy was denied a meeting with the leader of last month’s coup 

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said Washington supported West African efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger, whose neighbours have threatened military action unless the new ruling junta reverses last month’s coup. 

Niger’s democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum was deposed last month by the head of his own presidential guard, General Omar Tchiani, the latest coup in a volatile region that removed one of its few pro-western leaders.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There is a growing understanding that ECOWAS is not ready to military intervene .... Analysis: Nigeria 'cannot afford' ECOWAS military intervention in Niger (France 24). 

More News On The Crisis In Niger

Niger coup: Wagner taking advantage of instability - Antony Blinken -- BBC  

Niger Junta Rebuffs Diplomatic Overtures Backed by US, UN -- Reuters 

US says it has 'direct contact' with Niger's coup leaders but the conversations are 'difficult' -- ABC News  

West African Leaders Will Meet Thursday After Niger’s Junta Defies Key Deadline and Shuts Airspace -- AP  

ECOWAS calls for second emergency summit to discuss Niger coup -- Al Jazeera

How Would ECOWAS Invade Niger?

The #ECOWAS deadline for reinstating Niger's President and restoring the constitution has now passed.

As the deadline expired, #Niger closed its airspace.

ECOWAS defence chiefs have drafted military intervention plans, pending final agreement on implementation and timing. pic.twitter.com/1YFbmdodiY

— War Mapper (@War_Mapper) August 7, 2023

DW: Niger: How might an ECOWAS military intervention unfold? 

How likely is West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS to use force to restore Niger's democracy and what are its chances of success? DW dives into the bloc's dilemma. 

West Africa's defense chiefs were wrapping up a meeting in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Thursday where they discussed the possibility of a military intervention if diplomatic efforts fail to reinstate Niger's ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. 

The Economic Community of West African States, the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, threatened the use of force if coup leaders don't restore Bazoum to power by Sunday.  

Read more ....  

Update: Africa Map Shows Which Ecowas Countries Could Invade Niger (Newsweek) 

WNU Editor: Bottom line. ECOWAS does not have the logistics to accomplish a military intervention in Niger. The only way that it could be accomplished is with French/U.S. involvement.

West African Leaders (ECOWAS) To Meet On Niger After Junta Ignores Deadline To Reinstate Ousted President

 

Reuters: West African Leaders to Meet on Niger After Junta Defies Deadline 

NIAMEY (Reuters) -West African leaders scheduled a summit for Thursday to discuss the Niger junta's rejection of an ultimatum to reinstate the ousted president, as the United States sent a top official to Niamey to push for a return to democracy. 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had told leaders of the July 26 coup to stand down by Sunday or face a possible military intervention. 

But the junta, under self-declared head of state General Abdourahamane Tiani, former commander of Niger's presidential guard, instead closed the airspace and pledged to defend the country. 

The bloc has not directly responded but said on Monday it would hold the Thursday summit to discuss the standoff, a decision the European Union and United States said allowed more time for mediation.  

Read more ....  

Update: West African Leaders Will Meet Thursday After Niger’s Junta Defies Key Deadline and Shuts Airspace (AP)  

WNU Editor: Niger is calling ECOWAS's bluff to reinstate the ousted President or face a military intervention. And it gets worse. Nigeria, the country that will lead such an intervention, is facing significant internal opposition to not get involved .... Nigeria's President Tinubu faces backlash over military intervention in Niger (BBC).

U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland Held 'Difficult' Talks With Niger's Junta Officials

U.S. State Department Under Secretary for Public Affairs Victoria Nuland attends a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia © Thomson Reuters 

Reuters: Top US official traveled to Niger and held 'difficult' talks with junta officials 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. State Department's acting No. 2 traveled to Niger and held talks on Monday with senior officials from the country's junta which seized power last month, but made no progress in meetings she described as "difficult". 

U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was in Niamey, she told reporters in a call, and met with Moussa Salaou Barmou, the self-proclaimed defense chief of Niger's junta and three other colonels supporting him. 

Washington offered ways to restore democratic order, Nuland said, but the junta officials showed little interest. The U.S. side conveyed what is at stake in terms of economic assistance and other aid if the situation is not reversed, she added.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: They refused her request to meet the deposed President .... Junta leaders in Niger refuse to let top US official meet ousted president (The Guardian). More here .... Niger coup leaders refuse to let senior U.S. diplomat meet with deposed president (Politico). 

U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland Held 'Difficult' Talks With Niger's Junta Officials  

Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on the Situation in Niger -- US Department of State  

Niger coup: US envoy holds 'difficult' talks with junta -- BBC  

Acting US deputy secretary of state meets with military junta members in Niger -- CNN  

Niger coup leaders refuse to let senior U.S. diplomat meet with nation's president -- AP  

Niger coup leaders refuse to let senior US diplomat meet with nation's president -- Canadian Press 

US diplomat visits Niger to meet coup leaders, push for Bazoum’s release -- Al Jazeera

France Supports Military Action To Remove Niger's Coup Leaders

 

Politico: France backs efforts to quash Niger coup ahead of Sunday deadline 

Threat of military intervention made by ECOWAS ‘must be taken very seriously,’ French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna says. 

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Saturday backed efforts to reverse a military coup in Niger, following a meeting in Paris with the African country’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou and Niger’s Ambassador to France, Aïchatou Boulama Kané. 

France “firmly and resolutely supports the efforts of ECOWAS to thwart this attempted putsch,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement, referring to a group of 15 West African countries that has given the putschists in Niger until Sunday to step down or face a possible military intervention. 

“The future of Niger and the stability of the entire region are at stake,” the ministry said.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: France backs regional bid to oust coup leaders in Niger ahead of deadline (CNN)  

Update #2: France backs ECOWAS push to reverse Niger military coup (Al Jazeera) 

WNU Editor: France and the US are hoping that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will cobble together a military force to reverse the military coup in Niger. Easier said than done. Some member states are against any form of military intervention against Niger .... Burkina Faso, Mali warn against military intervention in Niger (Al Jazeera), and two, the member states of ECOWAS have limited military capabilities to launch such an operation against Niger's new leaders. 

Bottom line. 

The West will need to get directly involved in launching such an operation to quash this coup, and they already have the means to do it.  There are currently about 3,000 Western troops in Mali .... Which Western countries have foreign forces in Niger? (Al Jazeera).