NIAMEY, Niger (AP) West African heads of state began meeting Thursday on next steps after Niger's military junta defied their deadline to reinstate the nation's deposed president, but.
West African heads of state began meeting Thursday on next steps after Niger s military junta defied their deadline to reinstate the nation s deposed president, but analysts say the bloc known as ECOWAS may be running out of options as support fades for a military intervention.
Niger’s junta told a top U.S. diplomat that they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if regional countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule, two Western officials told The Associated Press. Representatives of the junta told U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum during her visit to the country this week, a Western military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. A U.S. official confirmed that account, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Bazoum was deposed by coup leaders on July 26 and says he is being held hostage at his residence.
West African heads of state are meeting on their next steps after Niger’s military junta defied their deadline to reinstate the deposed president. Nine of the 11 heads of state expected to attend were present at the closed-door summit in Nigeria's capital. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the current chairman of regional bloc known as ECOWAS. He told fellow leaders on Thursday that they must prioritize diplomacy. But Niger’s junta has turned away most efforts at mediation. ECOWAS previously threatened to intervene with military force if Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum wasn't reinstated. Bazoum has been under house arrest with his wife and son since July 26.