A group of West African nations has threatened military intervention in Niger if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is not returned to power by Aug. 6, ramping up pressure on the coterie of generals who deposed the elected leader and seized power there last week.
The leaders of 11 members of ECOWAS - the Economic Community of West African States - issued a communiqué Sunday condemning Bazoum's detention. They warned that the bloc would take "all measures necessary to restore constitutional order" in Niger, including the use of force, and ordered the defense chiefs of member nations to "meet immediately."