The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened to use force against the leaders of the recent coup in Niger, and the French embassy in the capital, Niamey, has been attacked.
The coup took place on July 29, 2023, when military officers led by Colonel Assimi Goïta arrested President Mohamed Bazoum and dissolved the government. Goïta has since declared himself interim president.
ECOWAS condemned the coup and called for the immediate release of Bazoum and the restoration of the constitutional order. The bloc also imposed sanctions on Niger, including the freezing of assets and a travel ban on the coup leaders.
On Sunday, July 30, 2023, ECOWAS gave the coup leaders one week to comply with its demands or face possible military intervention.
In the meantime, the French embassy in Niamey was attacked by a group of protesters on Sunday. The protesters burned French flags and threw stones at the embassy. No injuries were reported.
The attack on the French embassy is a sign of the growing tensions in Niger following the coup. It is also a reminder of the importance of France's role in the region. France has been a major military and financial partner of Niger for many years, and it is likely to play a key role in any efforts to resolve the current crisis.
The coup in Niger is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa. In recent years, there have been coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. These coups have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the threat of terrorism.
It remains to be seen whether ECOWAS will be able to restore the constitutional order in Niger. However, the bloc's threat of force and the attack on the French embassy are a sign that the international community is taking the coup seriously.