Antony Blinken advocates for a “peaceful resolution to the crisis” in Niger

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has called for a “peaceful resolution of the crisis” in Niger, after West African countries ordered the deployment of a “standby force” to restore constitutional order in the country.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has called for a “peaceful resolution of the crisis” in Niger, after West African countries ordered the deployment of a “standby force” to restore constitutional order in the country.

“The United States appreciates ECOWAS’s determination to explore all options for a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” said Antony Blinken in a statement, referring to the Economic Community of West African States.

Following an extraordinary summit in Abuja, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordered on Thursday the activation of the organization’s “standby force” to restore constitutional order in Niger, without providing further details.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara later affirmed that West African heads of state had given their green light for a military operation to “start as soon as possible.”

AFP and Reuters