The Niger junta has ordered its armed forces to go on the highest alert, citing an increased threat of attack.
This was according to an internal document issued by its defence chief on Friday that a security source in the country confirmed was authentic.
According to Reuters, the document, which was shared online on Saturday, said the order to be on maximum alert would allow forces to respond adequately in case of any attack and “avoid a general surprise”.
“Threats of aggression to the national territory are increasingly being felt,” it said.
Meanwhile, the President, the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray, on Friday said the sub-regional body has neither declared war on the people of Niger Republic nor planned to invade the country.
Touray clarified that the ECOWAS would employ all measures, including the use of standby force to restore civil rule in Niger Republic.
Also, he noted that Niger Republic as part of the West African region bloc subscribed to its rules and regulations to deploy measures to support its fight against terrorism to ensure the restoration of democracy, peace, and security in the community.
President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted July 26 in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Leaders in the ECOWAS bloc said that they would keep all options on the table for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and ordered the activation of an ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
