Niger Coup: Russia issues strong warning to Tinubu, other ECOWAS leaders

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been forewarned by Russia not to use military force in the Niger Republic.

PoliticsNow reports that the warning comes following efforts by the regional bloc to restore President Mohamed Bazoum after his ouster.

Recall that the decision to send a “standby force” to restore constitutional democracy in Niger was made during a gathering of ECOWAS leaders last Thursday in Abuja.

Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria and chairman of ECOWAS, stated that no options were off limits and suggested employing force as a final resort.

The Russian foreign ministry responded by issuing a statement on Friday.

The ministry expressed worry that a military operation inside Niger may unintentionally worsen the situation, possibly starting a protracted and difficult struggle.

The ministry also warned that the invasion of the country in West Africa would cause instability to spread over the entire Sahara-Sahel area.

“We harbour the belief that a military-centric resolution to the Niger crisis holds the potential to escalate hostilities within the country and to significantly destabilise the larger Sahara-Sahel region,” the statement stated.