Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has emphasized that the regional bloc is not engaged in warfare against the people of Niger Republic and has not planned any invasion of the country. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Touray clarified that while military action remains suspended, the activation of sanctions, including the potential for legitimate force, is in progress.
Touray highlighted that ECOWAS remains optimistic that diplomatic efforts will result in positive outcomes, even as preparations for deploying a force continue in the event that circumstances demand its use. The ECOWAS president underscored the community’s unwavering stance against supporting coup d’états and urged the military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani to swiftly transition back to civilian governance, expressing that the current three-year transition period is deemed unacceptable.
