West Africa's regional bloc Ecowas on Thursday ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta that that has taken power in Niger, saying it wanted a peaceful resolution but would consider military intervention "as a last resort".
After emergency talks in the Nigerian capital Abuja, Ecowas pledged to enforce sanctions, travel bans and asset freezes on those preventing the return to power of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by soldiers since 26 July.
