Niamey, 5 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Following threats of military force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Niger's junta has installed new leadership in the armed forces.

General Moussa Salaou Barmou, who played a decisive role in the coup d'état on July 26, will take over as chief of staff, a spokesman for the country's military rulers said on television on Friday evening.

Previously, Barmou commanded the country's special forces. Other important positions in the army and the air force were also filled with loyalists, the spokesman added.

After the overthrow of the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum by officers of the presidential guard, ECOWAS demanded his release last Sunday.

If the country did not return to constitutional order within a week, the organization threatened measures that could include military intervention.

According to the French broadcaster RFI, military chiefs of the ECOWAS states have now drafted a plan for possible action.

A mediation mission from ECOWAS left Niamey on Friday without meeting the country's new self-declared ruler, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who had headed the presidential guard.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has already asked his country's Senate to approve military intervention in neighbouring Niger, media reported.

Photo: MIA archive