West African Leaders Convene to Address Niger Coup as International Support Wavers

West African leaders are meeting in Nigeria to discuss further actions following the recent coup in Niger. The military leaders in Niger have warned against any armed intervention and accused ECOWAS of planning aggression. Possible actions by the West African leaders include suspending Niger from regional institutions, cutting off financial support, and closing borders. Chad, a non-member, has been invited to the summit. Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, receives significant development assistance and is a security partner of France and the United States. The possibility of a military intervention to restore President Mohamed Bazoum is also being considered. The coup has been condemned by neighboring countries and international partners, who refuse to recognize the new leaders and demand the restoration of Bazoum. The European Union and France have already cut off financial support, and the United States has threatened to do the same. The African Union has demanded the military return to their barracks and restore constitutional order within 15 days.