The Nigerian government clarified on Friday that any use of force in the Niger crisis, as proposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is the last option while mediation continues.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa shared this during a briefing with members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja that forceful intervention was a last-ditch effort.
“The use of force is the last resort and we hope we do not get there,” Lamuwa stated.
Following ECOWAS’ assertion that it would employ all necessary means, including force, to restore democracy, concerns about the implications of a military intervention in Niger for the subregion have been raised.
The regional bloc has also called for an immediate meeting of Chiefs of Defense Staff.
Two separate delegations have been sent to Niger by ECOWAS since its meeting last weekend, with the most recent one, led by former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar, returning to Nigeria to brief the president on their visit.
When asked about reports of Nigeria’s ambassador to Niger being dismissed, Lamuwa stated he had not been informed.
He also acknowledged Niger’s right to open its borders to supportive regional countries, in light of the ECOWAS-ordered blockade following the coup.
