The military junta in Niger is under intense pressure to agree to a dialogue as ECOWAS deepens its threat of military action.

The military junta had been determined to ward off any attempts to have them restore constitutional rule and had gone as far as restricting an ECOWAS delegation to an airport forcing them out of Niger.

This comes after the junta overthrew constitutional order in Niger.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah was part of the delegation that was held at the Nigerien airport.

“We were going and they said they were not ready to receive us,” he said.

 “Secondly, before then, the chair of ECOWAS, President Tinubu of Nigeria also dispatched former Head of State Abdul Salam Abubakar with the Sultan of Sokoto to talk to them, they confined them to the airport. They didn't allow them citing so-called explosive security situation in town which is all false.”

With this development, ECOWAS was forced to threaten to use force by invading Niger with military troops with the intention to restore order and reinstate the deposed President, Mohammed Bazoum.

However, it appears the threat of military force may be yielding some results, as ECOWAS military chiefs wrap up their plan of attack in Accra on Friday.

JoyNews is learning that the junta has sent a message to ECOWAS chiefs agreeing to talk.

Speaking exclusively to the head of JoyNews' Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic desk, Blessed Sogah, Dr Abdul Fatah said ECOWAS is ready to engage with the junta.

“Over the last couple of days, we’ve already received assurances that they are ready to receive our mission so we will take them by their word,’ he said.

He explained that ECOWAS’ mission is to ensure that the right thing is done and constitutional order restored.

“We don’t want to go the military route so we are giving every opportunity for the peaceful option to work.”

He used the opportunity to refute claims that ECOWAS has arrived at a date to deploy the military troops to Niger.

“ECOWAS has not agreed on a date to deploy military force,” he said.