Member countries of ECOWAS have begun working on gathering troops for a possible military intervention in Niger as the leaders of an army coup resisted international calls for them to step down and restore the ousted president to office.

There are no words for how big the force could be, how long it could take to assemble, and if it would actually invade.

Recall after the extraordinary summit on Thursday, ECOWAS ordered the activation of the standby force, two weeks after generals ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in the seventh coup in West and Central Africa in three years.

Let’s clearly inform you that this action marks the first time that such a force would be used and has raised the spectre of deepening conflict in a region where global powers have strategic interests.

Security analysts said an ECOWAS force could take weeks or longer to assemble, potentially leaving room for negotiations.

According to Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara, Cote d’Ivoire will send a battalion consisting of 850 troops. Senegal said last week it would contribute troops if there were an intervention.

Gambia’s defence minister Sering Modou Njie and Liberia’s minister of information Ledgerhood Rennie said they had not yet taken a decision to send troops.
Let’s get deeper into the conversation as we bring on board our guests…

We have Mr Morgan Assogba, Consultant / Geopolitics & Security Analyst, we also have Aaron Weah a political analyst and Austin Aigbe, a political and governance expert.