Sharjah 24 – AFP: Two weeks after the coup in Niger, France has abandoned its tough tone on the crisis and is now inclining towards diplomatic solutions, with military action seemingly ruled out for now, experts said.
West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS had given coup leaders a deadline of last Sunday to reinstate elected president Mohamed Bazoum, or face potential use of force.
But the Niger's new rulers defied the ultimatum and it elapsed with no action being taken. The leaders of ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West African States -- meet again on Thursday in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
On the eve of the deadline, France loudly showed its support for ECOWAS, saying it "firmly and resolutely" backed the bloc's efforts to restore Bazoum.
But Paris' latest declaration on Tuesday was cautious and measured, marking a clear shift from the earlier, more combative stance.
France stands by its policy of backing efforts to "restore democracy" in Niger, but believes it is up to ECOWAS "to take a decision on how to restore the constitutional order in Niger, whatever that decision may be," said a diplomatic source, asking not to be named.
The statement came after US acting deputy secretary of state Victoria Nuland went to Niamey to speak with coup leaders.
But she acknowledged her talks made no headway and was unable to meet the new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tiani, or the detained Bazoum.
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