Gambia Crisis: Nigerian Air Force deploys troops for ECOWAS mission

West Africa's regional bloc on Wednesday said a military intervention in junta-ruled Niger was "the last resort" as Nigeria cut electricity supplies to intensify pressure on the country's coup leaders.

Food prices have been rising rapidly since the Economic Community of West African States began pressuring coup leaders to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. Ordinary Nigeriens say they are already starting to feel the sting of ECOWAS sanctions.

Pressure mounts on Niger's military junta to re-install the democratic government. The US says there is still time for a diplomatic exit to the crisis, as ECOWAS threatens military intervention to restore President Bazoum to power. Meanwhile, France slashes millions in aid to Burkina Faso in response to its support for Niger's junta. And lastly, Senegal's most prominent opposition leader is hospitalised, following a hunger strike in prison. Ousmane Sonko began refusing food late last month in protest at what he says are politically motivated charges.

Niger's junta has ignored an ultimatum by the West African bloc for the reinstating of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Whether ECOWAS will follow through with its threat and intervene militarily remains uncertain.

The regional bloc is scrambling to meet this Thursday to discuss Niger after the coup leaders ignored calls to reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum. Analysts say there is still room for a diplomatic solution.

Niger has ignored a seven-day deadline to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The bloc prepares to hold a special summit on Thursday. What steps can it now realistically take?

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Regional analysts have said the move by West African leaders to activate a standby force to counter the junta in Niger represents a failure of diplomacy and is unlikely to succeed.

West African defence chiefs met in Ghana on Thursday to discuss a possible military intervention in Niger after coup leaders there ignored their deadline to step down. Nigeria has emerged as the strongest voice pushing for military action but all the ECOWAS leaders at the summit said diplomacy remains their preferred route out of the crisis.

Niger's coup leader said "our ambition is not to confiscate power." This comes as an ECOWAS delegation arrived for peace talks after indicating a standby force was ready to intervene.

ECOWAS sanctions on Niger appear to be a double-edged sword. Many Nigerians living near the border with Niger, which Nigeria shut after the coup, say the economic and humanitarian impacts are enormous.

The EU foreign ministers met to discuss ways to help West Africa's ECOWAS regional group handle the military takeover in Niger. The meeting came the junta stripped the French ambassador of diplomatic immunity.