President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission, Omar Touray, has stated that the regional organization has not declared war on the people of Niger Republic and has no plans to invade the country.
Touray, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, was unambiguous in his declaration that military force is not being utilized in the coup-torn West African nation.
However, the ECOWAS president highlighted that sanctions, including lawful force, had been triggered.
According to him, the organization is hoping that all diplomatic efforts would result in constructive action on the side of the junta while preparations to make the force ready for deployment continue, in case the need for such force becomes pressing.
The president of ECOWAS stated that it is not too late for the military junta to reconsider, since the community would not tolerate a coup.
Touray encouraged the military to restore to civilian administration as quickly as possible, reiterating that the three-year transition was untenable.
He went on to say that people opposing the ECOWAS position needed to do more research, and that it was sad that the decision was taken out of context and distorted by the media as a planned invasion of Niger.
Touray stated that certain powerful persons in the region had propagated the deception as true.
The ECOWAS president stated that the community is still demanding the swift restoration of civilian authority, noting that its actions are not in the best interests of the people of Niger.
He insisted that all methods, not just force, would be taken.
Touray emphasized that the community was still on the side of the people because they deserved to move freely within the region, and he vowed that the community will continue to work in the people’s best interests.
He went on to say that at no point and in no way did ECOWAS hint that force will be used at the end of the seven-day ultimatum issued previously.
The ECOWAS president confirmed that the use of force, as provided for in the 1999 document, was still on the table and was permissible as part of the measures that would be enforced.
