In the event that the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, launches a military intervention, the Niger Republic junta has vowed to assassinate former President Mohamed Bazoum.
According to a report by The Associated Press published on Thursday, two “Western officials” admitted that the putschists made the threat when speaking with a senior American diplomat.
Shortly before ECOWAS ordered the deployment of a standby force to restore democracy in Niger, the military chiefs reportedly threatened to use force.
The country’s leadership dilemma is being urgently addressed by the international community in a peaceful manner.
According to AP, junta leaders informed U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat against Bazoum during her visit to the nation this week, according to a Western military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The threats from both ECOWAS and the junta escalate tensions, but Aneliese Bernard, a former U.S. State Department official with expertise in African affairs who is now the director of Strategic Stabilisation Advisors, a risk advisory group, said she hopes they will move closer to actually talking.
She emphasised that because the junta’s actions have accelerated recently, it is still feasible that they will take additional drastic measures given their prior behaviour.
The Niger junta reportedly formed a new administration on Thursday, according to OBASAJO NEWS24.
