Former President Warns Against Use Of Military Force in Niger

Former Republic of Niger President, Mahamadou Issoufou, has cautioned against the use of military force in Niger, emphasizing that it would be a grave error. He contends that the key to resolving the current situation lies in mutual understanding through negotiation.

Issoufou, making his first public statement on the Niger situation since the July 26 coup, expressed concern over the prospect of ECOWAS countries deploying military intervention in Niger.

Having led Niger from 2011 to 2021, Issoufou emphasized that the country’s predicament is deeply troubling, but foreign military intervention is unlikely to restore democracy. In a message posted on his Twitter account, he urged mediators to prioritize dialogue, believing it to be the most promising avenue for a resolution.

According to him, foreign military involvement aimed at reinstating civilian rule could exacerbate problems not only in Niger but also in neighboring nations. Issoufou, who was succeeded by President Bazoum Mohamed, cautioned that foreign intervention could lead to unpredictable and prolonged security challenges.

While the ECOWAS group has not yet announced a specific timeline for military action in Niger, several of its members have expressed support for such measures, with France being a notable exception as a supporter of the Republic of Niger.