The Niger junta has directed its armed forces to assume the highest level of alert due to an escalating risk of attack, as outlined in an internal document issued by the country’s defense chief on Friday.
A reliable security source in Niger has confirmed the authenticity of the document.
According to Reuters, the directive, which was made public on Saturday through online platforms, mandates the armed forces to maintain a state of maximum preparedness.
The Junta, according to the document said maximum alert would allow forces to respond adequately in case of any attack and “avoid a general surprise”.
“Threats of aggression to the national territory are increasingly being felt,” it said.
As expressed in the document, the decision to elevate the alert level stems from a mounting sense of external aggression against the nation’s territory.
On August 10, Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) ordered the deployment of a “standby force” to Niger to restore constitutional order. However, it neither stated what that force will entail, nor when the supposed force with enter Niger.
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Meanwhile, the President, the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray, clarified on Friday that the sub-regional body is not engaged in declaring war on Niger or planning to invade the country. Instead, ECOWAS is committed to employing all necessary measures, including the deployment of a standby force, to reinstate civil rule within Niger Republic.
He noted that Niger Republic as part of the West African region bloc subscribed to its rules and regulations to deploy measures to support its fight against terrorism to ensure the restoration of democracy, peace, and security in the community.
President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted July 26 in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Leaders in the ECOWAS bloc said that they would keep all options on the table for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and ordered the activation of an ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
