West Africa bloc calls for dialogue on Niger crisis

West Africa's regional bloc said on Friday that dialogue and negotiation "should be at the forefront" for the Niger crisis.

A joint statement by the defense chiefs of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, after a three-day extraordinary meeting, said the committee had examined the immediate implications of the coup in Niger and its potential ripple effects across the ECOWAS region collectively while recognizing the gravity of the situation in Niger and the urgent need for a well-coordinated response.

The statement said the regional security architecture should be strengthened to enhance the collective response to security challenges, but "dialogue and negotiations should be at the forefront of our approach in resolving the crisis in the Republic of Niger".

The bloc said its military chiefs have agreed on a plan for a possible intervention in Niger unless coup leaders restore civilian rule by Sunday's deadline.

ECOWAS commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah said on Friday that all the elements that will go into any eventual intervention have been worked out. He was speaking after the conclusion of a three-day meeting of the military chiefs in Nigeria's capital Abuja.

"These include the resources needed, and including the how and when we are going to deploy the force," Musah said.

ECOWAS on July 30 gave the military that toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum in a July 26 coup one week to reinstate him or face the potential use of force.

The military officers last week threatened an immediate response to any aggression or attempted aggression within its borders which, they said, will see an immediate and unannounced response from the Niger Defense and Security Forces.

On Saturday, Nigeria's Senate advised the nation's president to further explore options other than the use of force for the Niger crisis, noting the "existing cordial relationship between Nigeriens and Nigerians".The legislators had deliberated on the president's request informing them of ECOWAS' decisions and Nigeria's involvement, as required by law.

Algeria has voiced out against any military intervention in Niger, Ennahar TV said late on Saturday citing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. "A military intervention could ignite the whole Sahel region and Algeria will not use force with its neighbors," Tebboune said in an interview with local media.

On Saturday, humanitarian nongovernmental organizations released a joint statement warning that further instability and sanctions could strongly worsen the living conditions of the most vulnerable, including women and children, and hamper the humanitarian response.

"The combination of sanctions and conflict with the existing vulnerabilities in Niger could have devastating effects on the lives of over 4.4 million people in the country who are already in need of humanitarian assistance," the organizations said while advocating the inclusion of humanitarian exemptions in all decisions, including sanctions, to prevent adverse impacts on civilians.

On Friday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the suspension of some aid programs to Niger. He said the interim measure does not affect all US foreign assistance programs in Niger, and the provision of lifesaving humanitarian and food assistance will continue.

In a statement released on Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry said it believes Niger and other countries in the region have the wisdom and capability to find a political solution to the current situation.

"President Mohamed Bazoum is a friend of China. We hope that his personal safety is ensured and that relevant parties of Niger will bear in mind the fundamental interests of the nation and the people, settle differences peacefully through dialogue, restore normal order at an early date, and uphold the stability and development of the nation," the ministry said.

The coup has drawn condemnations from international and regional organizations, some of which have imposed sanctions on the military and threatened to restore order in Niger by force.

Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.