Nigerien crisis (2023–2024)

2023–24 Nigerien crisis
	Part of the aftermath of the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état
	; The political situation in ECOWAS as of 23 December 2023 Junta and Alliance of Sahel States Supports Nigerien coup diplomatically Opposes Nigerien coup diplomatically Opposes Nigerien coup militarily ISGS Azawad Movement Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
Date	29 July 2023 – 24 February 2024
Location	Niger
Result	Coup d'état successful ECOWAS ultimatum expired 6 August; ECOWAS authorizes military intervention at 10 August emergency summit; Airspace closures across Niger; Mobilization of Niger's armed forces; Evacuations of foreign nationals; Junta names a new government; ECOWAS military chiefs meet on 17–18 August and decide on a "D-Day" for military intervention if diplomatic solutions fail; ECOWAS delegation meets with ousted President Bazoum; Junta proposal for three-year transition to civilian rule rejected by ECOWAS; Niger suspended from African Union; Creation of Alliance of Sahel States; ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger on 24 February 2024; End of U.S. and French military intervention in Niger; Beginning of new military cooperation between Niger and Russia;
Belligerents
Pro-Tchiani factions CNSP; M62 Movement; VDN; Pro-Tchiani Cabinet of Niger; ;	Pro-Bazoum factions Pro-Bazoum Cabinet of Niger; PNDS-Tarayya; CRR; ;
Alliance of Sahel States Niger; Burkina Faso; Mali; ; Supported by:; Guinea; Russia; Wagner Group (alleged);	ECOWAS Benin; Cape Verde; The Gambia; Ghana; Guinea-Bissau; Ivory Coast; Liberia; Nigeria; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Togo; ; African Union; Supported by: France; United Kingdom; United States; United Nations; European Union;
Commanders and leaders
Abdourahamane Tchiani; Ali Lamine Zeine; Salifou Modi; Abdou Sidikou Issa; Moussa Salaou Barmou; Amadou Abdramane; Mohamed Toumba; Ibrahim Traoré; Apollinaire J. Kyélem de Tambèla; Assimi Goïta; Choguel Kokalla Maïga; Mamady Doumbouya; Bernard Goumou;	Mohamed Bazoum; Rhissa Ag Boula; Patrice Talon; Adama Barrow; Nana Akufo-Addo; Umaro Embaló; Alassane Ouattara; Joseph Boakai; Bola Tinubu; Bassirou Diomaye Faye; Julius Maada Bio; Faure Gnassingbé;
Strength
30,000 soldiers	Western estimate: ≥7,000 in ECOWAS standby force

On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger, during which the country's presidential guard removed and detained president Mohamed Bazoum. Subsequently, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Commander of the Presidential Guard, proclaimed himself the leader of the country and established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, after confirming the success of the coup.

In response to this development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum on 30 July, giving the coup leaders in Niger one week to reinstate Bazoum, with the threat of international sanctions and potential use of force. When the deadline of the ultimatum expired on 6 August, no military intervention was initiated; however, on 10 August, ECOWAS took the step of activating its standby force. Previously in 2017, ECOWAS had launched a military intervention to restore democracy in The Gambia during a constitutional crisis within the country.

All active member states of ECOWAS, except for Cape Verde, pledged to engage their armed forces in the event of an ECOWAS-led military intervention against the Nigerien junta. Conversely, the military juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali announced they would send troops in support of the junta were such a military intervention launched while forming a mutual defense pact.

On 24 February 2024, ECOWAS announced that it was lifting sanctions on Niger, purportedly for humanitarian purposes.