According to an internal memo published over the weekend by the Niger Republic’s defence chief, the junta has placed its military forces on the highest alert due to an uptick in attack threats.
The order to be on high alert, according to the paper, would enable forces to appropriately respond in the event of an attack and “avoid a general surprise.”
Threats of aggression to the national territory are increasingly being felt,” it said.
If diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement with the coup leaders on July 26 fail, the West African regional body ECOWAS has stated it is prepared to send troops to restore constitutional order.
ECOWAS said on Friday that it was “determined to bend backwards to accommodate diplomatic efforts,” despite the fact that an intervention was still an option, and minimised the prospect of an impending invasion.
For the avoidance of doubt, let me state unequivocally that ECOWAS has neither declared war on the people of Niger nor is there a plan, as it is being purported, to invade the country, ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, told reporters.
