West African Leaders Threaten Force Against Niger Plotters

Economic group imposes sanctions, gives military junta seven days to restore democratic rule

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday that the military coup in Niger jeopardized U.S. aid and security support worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The European Union also suspended security cooperation and financial support with Niger.

West African leaders said that they would consider a military intervention to oust coup plotters in Niger and restore democratic rule in a vast Saharan country that they worry could become Russia’s newest security partner in the region.