Niger coup: West Africa defence chiefs to meet in Abuja today

Defence Chiefs from West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, will meet on Wednesday, August, 2 (today) in Abuja to debate the recent coup in the Republic of Niger.

This was made known in a statement on Tuesday, August 1.

This comes after the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States has placed various sanctions on the country and threatened they may use force on the junta.

A week ultimatum was given to the junta to reinstate President Bazoum, who is being held captive.

Earlier, the junta cautioned it would resist any “plan of aggression against Niger” by Western or regional powers.

A statement issued after the Sunday summit in Nigeria said that ECOWAS had “zero tolerance” for coups.

The regional bloc said it would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands weren’t met within seven days.

“Such measures may include the use of force,” and military chiefs are to meet “immediately” to plan for an intervention, the statement added.