Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has announced that West African heads of state have approved a military operation to restore constitutional order in Niger, where the military seized power two weeks ago.

The ECOWAS leaders have ordered the deployment of the regional "standby force" for this mission. Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, and other countries will contribute troops. (Alassane Ouattara stated that Côte d’Ivoire will contribute a "battalion" of 850 to 1100 troops)

Ouattara emphasized that if the coup leaders voluntarily step down, there will be no military intervention, but the priority is to reinstate President Bazoum to his functions.