The Latest Breaking News from West Africa

When the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, was elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on July 10, he asserted that the organisation would no longer be a “toothless bulldog”. Tinubu insisted that Ecowas would work collectively to combat terrorism and promote democracy in west Africa,…

The coup in Niger is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa that have toppled governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The ensuing political upheaval has caused tensions throughout the region and beyond – most notably with former colonial power France. FRANCE 24 speaks to…

A military intervention in Niger following last week's coup is "the last option on the table", the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has said.

ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger after last week’s coup and insists that there could be use of force within a week.

The French military is continuing to evacuate foreign nationals in Niger on Wednesday, with a third plane expected to depart the capital as defense chiefs from West Africa’s regional bloc are set to meet to discuss last week's coup against the country's democratically elected president

Niger’s prime minister, who has been stuck outside the country since last week’s coup, is appealing to the international community’s help in rolling back the military takeover, saying it was crucial for the defense of democracy in West Africa

West Africa’s regional bloc known as ECOWAS has threatened the use of force in reinstating the president of Niger after was deposed by his military but how the bloc would carry out the threat remains unclear

The West African bloc has a history of successful military interventions to restore constitutional order in the region.

Niger coup presents a diplomatic dilemma for the West African bloc whose new leadership is keen to entrench a new order.

UK move comes as West Africa slaps sanctions on coup leaders

West African leaders have imposed economic and travel sanctions on Niger’s military junta, threatening military action if ousted President Mohammed Bazoum is not reinstated within a week.