Following the announcement by regional organisation ECOWAS that it would build a standby force, Russia issued a warning that military intervention in Niger would result in a “protracted confrontation.”
The Russian foreign ministry warned that such an intervention would cause instability throughout the Sahel region.
formally supporting the coup. Russia does not.
The US, meanwhile, which supports efforts to reinstate ousted leader Mohammed Bazoum, claims that its Wagner mercenary force is profiting from the unrest.
At a French military installation close to the capital of Niamey on Friday, coup sympathisers demonstrated with some carrying Russian flags and yelling “down with France, down with ECOWAS.”
In Niger, military outposts operated by the US and France have been used to start operations against Islamist groups elsewhere in the area.
According to reports, military representatives from Ecowas nations will meet on Saturday to develop plans for a military intervention.
However, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu declared on Thursday that “no option is taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort.” The bloc has stated that it is still open to finding a diplomatic solution to the problem.
The US has urged the junta to step down and allow the restoration of the nation’s democratic constitution without expressly endorsing military intervention.
The most recent declarations from Ecowas leaders have received no response from the Niger junta.
Fears are mounting for Mr. Bazoum’s health and safety as he is being held captive since the military overthrew the government on July 26.
According to Josep Borrell, the head of EU foreign policy, he and his family had been “deprived of food, electricity, and medical care for several days.”
Volker Turk, the UN’s commissioner for human rights, stated that he had reliable information that the custody conditions “could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment”.
According to the rights organisation Human Rights Watch, Mr. Bazoum informed them last week that he and his family were subjected to “inhuman and cruel” treatment.
According to Mr. Bazoum, “My son is sick, has a serious heart condition, and needs to see a doctor,” he told them, according to HRW.