Nigerien crisis (2023–2024)
International crisis following 2023 coup in Niger / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger, during which the country's presidential guard removed and detained president Mohamed Bazoum. Subsequently, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Commander of the Presidential Guard, proclaimed himself the leader of the country and established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, after confirming the success of the coup.[6][7][8][9]
2023–24 Nigerien crisis | |||||||
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Part of the aftermath of the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état | |||||||
The political situation in ECOWAS as of 23 December 2023 Supports Nigerien coup diplomatically Opposes Nigerien coup diplomatically Opposes Nigerien coup militarily
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Supported by:
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
30,000 soldiers[4] | Western estimate: ≥7,000 in ECOWAS standby force[5] |
In response to this development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum on 30 July, giving the coup leaders in Niger one week to reinstate Bazoum, with the threat of international sanctions and potential use of force.[10][11] When the deadline of the ultimatum expired on 6 August, no military intervention was initiated; however, on 10 August, ECOWAS took the step of activating its standby force.[12][13][14][15] Previously in 2017, ECOWAS had launched a military intervention to restore democracy in The Gambia during a constitutional crisis within the country.
All active member states of ECOWAS, except for Cape Verde, pledged to engage their armed forces in the event of an ECOWAS-led military intervention against the Nigerien junta.[16] Conversely, the military juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali announced they would send troops in support of the junta were such a military intervention launched while forming a mutual defense pact.[17][18]
On 24 February 2024, ECOWAS announced that it was lifting sanctions on Niger, purportedly for humanitarian purposes.[1]