The President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, announced that the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have given the green light for a military operation “to start as soon as possible” to restore constitutional order in Niger, where the military took power two weeks ago.

The President of Côte d’Ivoire said, in a press statement, that “the chiefs of staff will hold other conferences to adjust the details, but they have obtained the approval of the Conference of State Leaders to start the process as soon as possible.”

He added that his country would contribute a “battalion” of 850 to 1,100 members, along with Nigeria and Benin in particular, and that “other countries” would also participate in the intervention force.

He stressed that “the putschists can decide to leave tomorrow morning and there will be no military intervention, everything depends on them,” and “we are determined to restore the ousted President Muhammad Bazoum to his job.”

ECOWAS announced, on Thursday, that all options remain on the table regarding Niger, including the use of force as a last option, stressing support for a diplomatic solution to the Niger crisis.

ECOWAS said it had ordered its reserve force to be put on alert in response to the July 26 coup.

The statement confirmed that the group would impose “measures, including border closures, strict travel bans, and asset freezes for those who obstruct the restoration of constitutional order in Niger,” calling on the African Union to support all the group’s decisions on Niger.

The military council in Niger had preceded the summit by announcing the formation of a new government that would include 21 ministers.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency