We don’t need UN’s permission to deploy troops in Niger – ECOWAS

The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, says the regional body does not need to wait for the approval of the United Nations’ (UN) Security Council before it can deploy troops to Niger.

According him, the Security Council of the UN has never had unanimity and it will be pointless to present the issue of Niger before the members of the Council because one member will definitely reject it.

He stated that multilateralism does not exist anymore and that most countries have adopted the concept of multipolarity which allows the distribution of equal powers among countries.

“When last did the Security Council have unanimity? It’s because of geopolitics, so it’s obvious that even if you’re going to talk about climate change, there will be a P5 member who will veto it, much less this situation.”

“Multilateralism is dead, we are in a world of multipolarity, and the Security Council will never be unanimous and you just need the veto of one of the five permanent members and then it is dead, why waste your time?” he quizzed.

Speaking to Joy News after a meeting with security chiefs from 11 ECOWAS countries at Burma Camp in Accra, Mr Musah said that the UN Secretariat has already given its support to the Sub-Regional body to deploy the troops and that to him is enough.

“We have received the support of the United Nations Secretariat, the Secretary-General has severally backed what ECOWAS is doing.”

“He has called for the release of Bazoum, he has condemned his detention and all that, for us that is more than enough,” he stated.

Security chiefs from 11 countries on Thursday, August 17, 2023 had a meeting at the Burma Camp in Accra to draw up a deployment plan following last month’s coup in Niger which toppled the government of Mohammed Bazoum.

ECOWAS Military Chiefs say they are ready for military action in Niger to restore democratic rule in the country.