In an escalating standoff over the political crisis triggered by the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, Niger’s top diplomat has revealed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is resolute in its determination to take military action if the putschists fail to relinquish power and restore civilian rule. Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou’s remarks were published in the Spanish newspaper El Pais on Friday, shedding light on the increasing tensions in the region.