‘cat and mouse’
Niger’s former colonial ruler France has denied the junta’s accusation that it was trying to destabilize the country or that it had violated its airspace. It has said it supports ECOWAS efforts to restore constitutional order.
French troops, along with US, German and Italian forces, are present in Niger as part of an international effort to tackle the Islamist insurgency, which has killed thousands and forced millions to flee their homes in the past decade.
Musa rejected the allegation that ECOWAS was being manipulated by France or any other outside power.
“They have forgotten that ECOWAS is a rules-based organization. We have our protocols, we have our norms and we are ready to defend them,” he said.
“That is why the head of state is saying that if pressure is put on we are going to Niger with our own troops, our own equipment and our own resources to make sure that we can restore constitutional order. If other democracies -Lover partners who want to support us are welcome,” he said.