In Niger, leaders of last month’s military coup have appointed a 21-member cabinet as they forge ahead with building a new government. This comes as West African leaders from ECOWAS are holding an emergency summit today in the Nigerian capital Abuja to determine their next steps, after a deadline to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum passed Sunday.
ECOWAS, backed by the U.S. and the former colonizer France, had threatened to use military force if their deadline was not met, but there has been deep division within the region over how to respond. The Senate in Nigeria has said military force should only be used as a last resort if diplomacy fails. Neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, all ruled by coup leaders who have ejected French forces from their country, have said any military action would be taken as an attack on their countries, as well. Many Nigeriens have been taking to the streets since the July 26 coup to show their support of the military and voice opposition to any foreign intervention.
— source democracynow.org | Aug 10, 2023