Protesters attack French embassy in Niger as West African governments threaten coup leaders
NBCJUL 2023
The 15-nation ECOWAS echoed earlier calls by major allies of Niger, stressing its readiness to take swift action to restore democratic rule in a country that's vital to ensure regional security. Yet, the bloc will have to find the right balance to navigate its way out of this crisis without punishing citizens and pushing the junta into the hands of Russia or Wagner forces.
ECOWAS is once again taking the risk of being seen as an illegitimate regional body as it fails to realize sanctions cause more suffering among ordinary citizens while not dissuading the coup leaders. Following its failures in addressing recent military takeovers in Burkina Faso and Mali, the bloc should have changed its policies and implemented measures for preventing coups in the first place.