We’ve taken into account possible effect of sending troops to Niger on foreign nationals – ECOWAS

Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa, who serves as the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAPS) for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has stated that ECOWAS has considered the potential effects that sending troops to Niger could have on foreign residents currently living in that country.

He was aware that there are a number of people from other countries, including refugees, living in Niger.

Dr. Musa gave his word that the regional bloc would wage war against Niger, and he was right. He stated that they are more engaged in a war against the junta that was responsible for organizing the coup.

Recently, the President of Ghanaians Resident in Niger, Seidu Abudu, voiced concerns about the safety of foreigners domiciled in Niger in the event that ECOWAS sends troops to that nation to combat those responsible for the coup.

Concerns have been voiced by Seidu Abudu on the possibility of ECOWAS sending soldiers to Niger.

If ECOWAS decides to use force, "We have so many foreigners here, so I think the foreigners who are living in this country are going to have a big problem because they are going to attack us, that one is for sure," said the guy. "We have so many foreigners here because we have so many foreigners here."

When Dr. Musa was asked whether ECOWAS has considered the potential repercussions of sending troops to Niger as part of efforts to restore constitutional democracy, he responded by saying that "in the planning of this mission, all those factors have been taken into account." We are referring to the Ghanaian people who are over there, but there are also nationals of other countries in West Africa there. There are around 700,000 Nigerian citizens and refugees in Niger, which is something that we are well aware of. In addition to this, we have taken into consideration the prospect of refugees leaving the country rather than entering it.

"But let me assure you, in planning, we are not going to war against Niger; rather, we are going to war against the CNSP junta," "But let me assure you, in planning, we are going to war against Niger," We are making it abundantly obvious that the CNSP junta is the authoritative body.

Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa continued by stating that the sub-regional group has never wavered from the position that military involvement will be the final resort.

"It is you, the media, who are actually beating the drums of war," he continued. "It is you who are actually beating the drums of war."

Since the beginning of this crisis, Ecowas has maintained that the organization will use every tool in its arsenal until there are none left.

"We condemn the coup, we ask for the release of President Bazoum and his family, and we ask the junta CNSP to restore constitutional order [but] none of that has been heard," the statement read. "We condemn the coup, we ask for the release of President Bazoum and his family."

He stated that the option of military intervention will not be available if the junta is willing to engage the bloc in discussion.

On Thursday, August 10, in Abuja, Nigeria, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of Ecowas requested member nations to mobilize a standby force in order to restore constitutional order in Niger. This call came during the meeting of the Ecowas Authority of Heads of State and Government.

According to Dr. Musa, the decision was made after the CNSP, which was led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, rejected two missions sent by Ecowas.

He stated that Ecowas has always extended an invitation for conversation, but the junta has turned down all of those offers.

"Even though all of these efforts have been taken, we are still requesting that they give peace a chance by opening up the diplomatic channel.

"We are not the ones who are going to close the door in their faces. It is more like they are closing the door in our faces."

He reported that the junta had finally agreed to begin peace negotiations on Saturday with the arrival of an Ecowas team.