The Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff of ECOWAS will continue its meeting today to make a final decision on whether to intervene in the Niger political crisis.
The military chiefs began an emergency meeting in Accra yesterday to discuss how best to strategize for the task ahead.
Chairman of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff for ECOWAS, General Christopher Musah, said that the ultimate goal is to liberate the people of Niger.
“We must not allow the people of Niger to suffer needlessly. Our task as a committee of chiefs of Defense Staff of ECOWAS states is to ensure that our responses to these crises are driven by fear but by principles of justice, respect for human rights and the unwavering commitments to the rule of law.”
“We must strive to uphold integrity of our institutions, protect the sovereignty our states and safeguard the democratic rights of our people. In this the people of Niger are an integral part,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, has defended the regional body’s stance on military intervention in Niger.
In response to calls for the decision to be revoked, Musah described such appeals as “unjustifiable.”
Addressing the Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff in Accra on Thursday, Ambassador Musah underscored the gravity of the situation in Niger.
The meeting is aimed at strategically outlining an intervention plan for Niger, which will then be presented to ECOWAS leaders for approval.
General Musah affirmed that if ongoing diplomatic dialogues fail to yield results, the standby force is prepared to act decisively.
He added that the regional body’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Niger remains unwavering.
Highlighting the paramount importance of democratic governance, Ambassador Musah emphasized that all available strategies will be used to facilitate Niger’s return to its rightful democratic path.