African Bloc ECOWAS Threatens Niger’s Junta to Cede Power or Face Force

The leaders of a 15-nation West African bloc have given Niger’s junta a week to return power to the country’s civilian authorities or face consequences, including the use of force. The regional grouping called the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), issued the threat at an emergency meeting in Nigeria on Sunday. Niger’s military has been holding the country’s President Mohamed Bazoum since last week in the seventh coup to hit Africa’s Sahel region in recent years. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the powerful presidential guard, has declared himself leader. In its statement, ECOWAS said unless the military…