South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the military takeover in Niger.

According to him, democratically elected governments must not be removed through unconstitutional means.

"We are concerned about that coup and we condemn it. We firmly believe that a democratically elected government must not be removed through unconstitutional means. ECOWAS is firmly seized with this matter and through the AU we will support the efforts and the interventions they seek to make," he said.

Already the South African government says it is activating measures to repatriate 23 of its citizens caught up in the diplomatic row and fast-escalating tension between ECOWAS and the military junta in Niger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi4a66eyUhY

Both parties are on the brink of a military standoff raising fears of a possible full-blown war in the West African country.

Making a brief statement to the press on his expectations ahead of the BRICS summit which kicks off in South Africa this week, Cyril Ramaphosa says he is equally concerned about the latest developments in West Africa.

On Friday, Military leaders from across West Africa indicated that they are on standby, awaiting the activation of the ECOWAS order to deploy forces into Niger.

The objective of this anticipated deployment is to compel the coup-makers to relinquish control and reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

This formed a crucial part of the resolutions of the 48th Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) in Accra, Ghana.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, addressed the assembly, hinting at the prospect of military intervention as a means to address the ongoing turmoil in Niger.

Speaking to the press, Mr Musah conveyed the preparedness of the ECOWAS forces, stating, “We are ready to go anytime the order is given.”

“The D-Day is also decided, which we are not going to disclose. There will be no more meetings of the Chiefs of Defence Staff. If there will be, it will be probably in the course of the operation if there is the need to adjust the operation. This is the second extraordinary meeting and the final meeting before deployment.”

• Niger Coup: Military deployment to be considered if all options fail – ECOWAS Commissioner

The Commissioner insisted that the deployment plan is set to unfold with careful precision, with the exact timing strategically determined to maximize effectiveness and minimise risks.

“If all fails, then we have no option but to go to the final option, which is military intervention, and we hope that it is going to be surgical, it is going to be short-lived to ensure that constitutional order is restored.”

The readiness of the West African forces, according to Mr Musah, underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to resolving the crisis in Niger through a multilateral and concerted effort.