West African defence chiefs continue talks on possible Niger intervention

West African defence chiefs are currently holding a second day of talks in Ghana on possible armed intervention to restore civil rule in the Niger Republic should diplomatic efforts to reverse a coup there fail.

According to Al Jazeera, the defence chiefs are expected to announce any next steps at a closing ceremony at 4pm.

Troops of the Economic Community of West African States a day earlier pledged readiness to participate in a standby force that would restore democracy in Niger after generals toppled and detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

All member states, except those under military rule and Cape Verde, agreed at a meeting in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Thursday to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.

ECOWAS defence chiefs are having a two-day meeting in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to fine-tune details of a potential military operation to restore Bazoum if continuing negotiations with coup leaders fail.

Details later…

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