From West African Economic Cooperation Countries (ECOWAS) messages are coming in, that for the moment they have refused to carry out their threats to invade Niger. Recall, that the term of the ultimatum of a number of ECOWAS countries to the new authorities of Niger, from whom they demanded to restore the pro-Western Mohammed Bazum to the presidential post, desire 6 August.
Bazum was not reinstated, and at the same time, the new authorities of Niger announced the closure of their airspace, threatened, as already reported by "Military Review", shoot down any aircraft. The command of the Nigerian troops has not yet decided to order a military invasion of Niger. Other ECOWAS countries did not give such an order to their troops either..
American correspondents in Nigeria asked the Nigerian command, why, after the expiration of the ultimatum, the military intervention in Niger did not begin. The Nigerian army announced, that “for starters, it is necessary to increase the number of personnel and conduct combat coordination of units, before starting hostilities in Niger".
Recall, that some ECOWAS countries initially opposed the intervention in Niger. Burkina Faso and Mali announced, that they will regard an attack on Niger as a declaration of war on their countries too.
However, experts consider the position of Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebbun to be the key factor in refusing to invade Niger at the moment.. According to him, Algeria opposes military operation in Niger, since the invasion of Niger carries significant risks for Algeria. These two countries share a common border of about 1000 km.
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