The heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reached an agreement at the Abuja summit «how can rather» start a military operation in Niger. This was reported by Agence France-Presse.
Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d'Ivoire, said that the chiefs of staff will hold additional meetings to clarify the details of the planned operation.
Planned operation received broad support from ECOWAS Heads of State. The decision also announced that Côte d'Ivoire would provide a battalion of 850 to 1,100 people to actively participate in the operation. Nigeria and Benin also confirmed their readiness to take part in this mission.
President Ouattara stressed that the essence of the operation is to return the powers of the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazum.
In late July, the military from the Presidential Guard Niger staged an uprising and announced the overthrow of power. As a result of this incident, power passed to the National Council for the Salvation of the Motherland, headed by Guard Commander Abdurahman Tchiani.
At the moment, the country's president remains under house arrest and is in touch with leaders of other countries by phone.