The order is contained in an internal document issued by Niger's Defence Chief on Friday, August 25, 2023, which security sources in the country have confirmed to be authentic. As noted in the document, which was circulated online on Saturday, the order to go on the highest alert would allow forces to respond adequately in case of any attack and “avoid a general surprise,” Reuters reports. “Threats of aggression to the national territory are increasingly being felt,” it said. Speaking in Abuja on Friday, August 25, 2023, Touray explained that ECOWAS would only deploy all measures, including the use of its standby force to restore democratic order in Niger Republic. There's an ongoing standoff between ECOWAS, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, and Niger military junta, who forcefully deposed the country's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup on July 26.

Source: Daily Nation August 28, 2023 05:08 UTC