ECOWAS had initially given Niger’s military junta a seven-day ultimatum to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, but an intervention by stand-by force is now being explored. Army chiefs from West African countries have been urged to remain loyal to their heads of state and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during discussions aimed at restoring democracy in crisis-hit Niger. Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul asked the military leaders to send a message to the world that the days of supporting coups had ended. Is it foolish for African countries to fight their own ?

