THE deadline arrived on Sunday for Niger’s military junta to reinstate the country’s ousted president.

The threat by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to intervene in Niger has been met by prominent appeals to pursue more peaceful means.

Nigeria’s Senate on Saturday pushed back against the plan by the regional bloc, urging President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, the bloc’s current chair, to explore options other than the use of force. 

Ecowas can still move ahead, as final decisions are taken by consensus by member states, but the warning on the eve of Sunday’s deadline raised considerable questions about the viability of military intervention.

Algeria and Chad, non-Ecowas neighbours with strong militaries in the region, have both said that they oppose the use of force or won’t intervene militarily, and neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso have both said an intervention would be a “declaration of war” against them, too.

Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum said that he is being held “hostage” by the mutinous soldiers. 

An Ecowas delegation was unable to meet with the junta’s leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who analysts have asserted led the coup to avoid being fired. 

Now the junta has reached out to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for assistance while severing security ties with former colonial ruler France.

Hours before Sunday’s deadline, hundreds of youth joined security forces in the darkened streets in Niger’s capital Niamey to stand guard at a dozen roundabouts until morning, checking cars for weapons and heeding the junta’s call to watch out for foreign intervention and spies.

Ibrahim Nudirio, one of the residents on patrol, said: “I’m here to support the military. We are against [the regional bloc]. We will fight to the end. We do not agree with what France is doing against us.” 

He said “We are done with colonisation.”

Some people on the streets called for solidarity among African nations.

It was not immediately clear on Sunday what Ecowas will do next.

Niger’s coup leaders have claimed that they acted because of growing insecurity and worsening daily life for people in the country.

Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and humanitarian groups in Niger have warned of “devastating effects” on the lives of over 4.4 million people already in need of aid.

Some of Niger’s already struggling residents said that military intervention is not the answer.

“Just to eat is a problem for us. So if there is a war, that won’t fix anything,” said Mohamed Noali, a Niamey resident patrolling the streets.