Senegal has pledged its participation in a potential military intervention in Niger, if the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) decides to take action following the recent coup in the country.
Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall made the announcement during a government press briefing in the capital, Dakar, citing concerns over the increasing number of coups in the region and Senegal’s international commitments.
During the briefing, Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall expressed Senegal’s determination to send its soldiers to Niger, stating, “Senegalese soldiers, for all these reasons, will go there.” This comes as Ecowas threatens the use of force if the junta fails to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum by the deadline, set for Sunday.
Niger becomes the fourth member of the Ecowas bloc to experience a coup since 2020, escalating regional security concerns. To address the situation, the military chiefs of Ecowas member countries convened in Nigeria for a three-day consultation.
Minister Tall Sall asserted that Senegal is bound by its commitment to Ecowas’s decisions, thus offering its assistance. She emphasised the urgency to halt these coups, stating, “Senegal’s conviction is that these coups must be stopped.
