U.S. orders departure of non-emergency government personnel from Niger
CBSMAY 2023
West African Leaders Plan For Military Intervention in Niger
Above: ECOWAS Director at the UN, Abdel-Fatau Musah. Image copyright: Mateo Lanzuela/Europa Press via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The regional response to the coup in Niger is crucial, and ECOWAS faces a major test. A tough response is both the best way for democracy to be restored in Niger. If this doesn't occur, the Sahel region may forever be lost to forces that only seek to do harm. While it's wise that intervention should be led by Western powers, backing and support of potential military action remains crucial to Niger's future.
Establishment-critical narrative
The threat of intervention by ECOWAS and the West has only created greater unity in Niger, increasing a sense of patriotism against the desires of colonial and external powers. Sanctions and threats against Niger are illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane — only doing damage to the people of the country rather than the military it wishes to target.