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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

How likely is West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS to use force to restore Niger's democracy — its hardest course of action yet against a member state — and what are its chances of success? DW dives into the bloc's dilemma.

Following a coup in Niger, the West African economic bloc has again resorted to sanctions against a member state. In the past, these have often proved ineffective, revealing the alliance’s weakness.

A team from the West African bloc left without fulfilling scheduled meetings and plans. Meanwhile, the country's ousted president warned that his country's security was at risk amid the junta rule.