Nigerien crisis (2023–2024)

2023–24 Nigerien crisis
Part of the aftermath of the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état

The political situation in ECOWAS as of 23 December 2023
  Supports Nigerien coup diplomatically
  Opposes Nigerien coup diplomatically
  Opposes Nigerien coup militarily
  ISSP
Date29 July 2023 – 24 February 2024
Location
Result

ECOWAS takes no military action

  • ECOWAS ultimatum to return to civilian rule expires on 6 August
  • ECOWAS authorizes military intervention in Niger on 10 August
  • ECOWAS lifts its sanctions on Niger on 24 February 2024
  • Niger suspended from African Union and leaves ECOWAS
  • Niger becomes a founding member of the Alliance of Sahel States
  • End of U.S. and French military intervention in Niger
  • President Bazoum remains under house arrest
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders


Strength
30,000 soldiers Western estimate: ≥7,000 in ECOWAS standby force

On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger, during which the country's presidential guard removed and detained president Mohamed Bazoum. Subsequently, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Commander of the Presidential Guard, proclaimed himself the leader of the country and established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, after confirming the success of the coup.

In response to this development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum on 30 July, giving the coup leaders in Niger one week to reinstate Bazoum, with the threat of international sanctions and potential use of force. When the deadline of the ultimatum expired on 6 August, no military intervention was initiated; however, on 10 August, ECOWAS took the step of activating its standby force. Previously in 2017, ECOWAS had launched a military intervention to restore democracy in The Gambia during a constitutional crisis within the country.

All active member states of ECOWAS, except for Cape Verde, pledged to engage their armed forces in the event of an ECOWAS-led military intervention against the Nigerien junta. Conversely, the military juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali announced they would send troops in support of the junta were such a military intervention launched while forming a mutual defense pact.

On 24 February 2024, ECOWAS announced that it was lifting sanctions on Niger, purportedly for humanitarian purposes.