Paris. August 19. INTERFAX - The military leaders of the member countries of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) are ready in case of an operation in Niger, the representative of ECOWAS responsible for peace and security Abdel Fattah Moussah said on Friday.
"We are ready to intervene as soon as the order is given," the French media quoted the representative of the organization as saying. Musakh stressed that the final decision on whether to conduct an operation in Niger will be made by the leaders of the ECOWAS countries.
He noted that "the day of possible intervention has been determined." He did not give any other details.
At the same time, Musakh assured that the military operation will take place "only if all other solutions to the problem do not give results."
According to the official, "there is a possibility that tomorrow the ECOWAS mission will go to Niger to try to peacefully seek the restoration of constitutional order." "We are ready to solve the problem peacefully, but we cannot do it if the other side does not want to cooperate," he added.
His statement was made following a two-day meeting of the heads of the General Staffs of the ECOWAS countries in Ghana.
Last week, an ECOWAS summit was held in the Nigerian capital Abuja, the participants of which stressed in the final statement that they "constantly aim at restoring constitutional order using peaceful methods." The participants of the meeting agreed to form and keep a military contingent ready in case it is necessary to conduct an operation on the territory of Niger.
On July 26, it became known that part of the fighters of the Presidential Guard of Niger opposed the country's president Mohamed Bazum. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Niger supported the fighters who staged a mutiny.
ECOWAS, the European Union, France and a number of other states condemned the military coup and demanded Bazum's release and reinstatement as president.
