As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) contemplates military intervention in Niger Republic, the country’s coup leaders have deployed military personnel along their border with Benin, a neighboring nation.
This development came to light through a video shared through X (formerly Twitter) on Monday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region.
It could be recalled that the ECOWAS last month ordered the immediate activation of the sub-regional Standby Force with all its elements, and deployment to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.
This is one of its resolutions reached in a 12-point communique issued after its Second Extraordinary Summit on August 10. However, the ECOWAS is yet to invade Niger Republic despite all attempts to dialogue failed.
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Makama said that the military junta in Niger has deployed personnel to Benin border amidst possible ECOWAS invasion.
“Niger deploys Military to the Niger- Beninese Border amidst eminent Military intervention plans of ECOWAS,” he wrote.
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA reports that this development comes a day after the Niger’s junta accused France of deploying troops in several West African countries as part of preparations for a possible military intervention together with the regional bloc ECOWAS in Niger.
In a statement read on state television, the junta appealed to “national and international opinion to witness the consequences of this aggressive, underhanded and contemptuous attitude adopted by France.”
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It is unclear whether the deployment of military by Niger is linked to the allegation they levied against France.
However, when asked about the junta’s latest comments, French President Emmanuel Macron said “we do not recognise any legitimacy in the statements of the putschists.”
Regarding the some 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger, Macron said any decision about their deployment would only be made in coordination with Bazoum.
“If we ever redeploy… I would do so only at the request of President Bazoum,” Macron told a news conference at the close of a two-day summit of G20 leaders in India.
Watch the video of the deployment here>>>https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxDOOapoB2F/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==