2023-08-17 20:55:27
With our special correspondent in Accra, François Hume-Ferkatadji
This is the second time that the chiefs of staff have met to discuss a possible intervention in Niger. This time, it is ten days after the conference of heads of state of ECOWAS gave the green light for a military operation to restore constitutional order.
First observation at the opening of this summit, notable absences: that of the Chief of Staff of Cape Verde, who declined the invitation because of his opposition to the idea of the use of force, and those more expected from the Chiefs of Staff of Niger, Burkina, Guinea and Mali. Four countries where the military has seized power by force in the past three years.
As for the opening of this summit itself, it was rather unusual. It lasted an hour, during which the various interlocutors constantly called on the Member States to make this operation a success. Everything is already ready, told us a high representative of ECOWAS, the purpose of this summit is to choose the date of the intervention…
“We know the risk”
Because the military operation, to listen to the chief of staff of Ghana, is now decided. For example, it states that Member States will put in place ” a stabilization support mission ». « We will accomplish our task in a reasonable time schedule “, he added.
In a similar vein, ECOWAS Public Affairs Commissioner Abdel Fatau Musah said that “ the valiant forces of West Africa are ready to answer the call of duty ” against “ the inflexibility of the military in power “. He explains that the standby force already has enough men for an operation, that it has its own resources, that financial support from Western countries is not compulsory, even if this ” help would be welcome ».
Abdel Fatau Musah faced questions from the press, and defended the military operation legally and operationally. ” We know our concept of operation, we know the risk. We know the opportunities and we put it all into the planning phase. Planning is virtually complete. For now, this meeting is about commitments and when we will start marching into the country. »
Regarding a possible confrontation with Mali and Burkina, Abdel Fatau Musah replies that these countries do not control their borders with Niger, where the Islamic State and the Jnim operate. ” If I was them, I’d focus on indoor security challenges of their own territory, he warned.
« Not an easy path »
Finally, the opening of this summit also consisted of a long pedagogy to answer all the criticisms on these choices of ECOWAS, considered belligerent and very risky.
The speakers recalled the politico-military past of the standby force, which according to them has always resulted in successes, and has always obtained the support of the international community. Nigeria’s Chief of Staff concedes: our way is not an easy way ». « No one wants to go to war » also says the Ghanaian Minister of Defense who adds: « but today you are facing history “, if this junta remains in power, “ no one in West Africa is safe anymore “. It repeatedly asks the Member States for resources, financial resources, human resources. And he concludes: you must allow our peoples to be able to continue to choose their leader. »
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