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Exactly, that's the multi million dollar question. The ECOWAS presidents' should should be interested in knowing what is it that the very electorate who waste precious time to queue to vote to elect them are Same electorate who pour into the streets in support of the military when they 'strike '. From footages seen on TV, the people of Niger seems to support the takeover. If ECOWAS leaders were to sent troops to Niger to force the military junta out, there will definitely be some civilian casualties. Who's interest will the ECOWAS leaders be protecting? The times have changed and politicians in the west African sub-region and Africa at large should know this. If you make promises nobody forced you to make based on which the people voted for you to form a government , you have to deliver on those promises. When you start giving excuses, the people begin to compare their standard of living with countries in same region who may be less endowed and then and then they begin to agitate. Politics is not by force, if you know you can't deliver, don't go for it. In any case ,we saw similar military takeovers in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso with no ECOWAS intervention by way of sending troops there, why Niger? The Presdents' should first convince their people. Is Mohammed Bazoum (the ousted president of Niger) more president than those of his colleagues who were chased out in the 3 countries mentioned? See how president Hichelema of Zambia is going about issues in his country. He has told his appointees that anybody who wants a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 should buy his or her own because he doesn't see why the taxpayers money should be used to buy V8 for a mayor when that money can build 100 toilets for the whole district. He said, " since i took over as the president of Zambia, i haven't bought any new vehicles for my office, am using same vehicles my predecessor was using " With such commitment, which soldier in Zambia will think of toppling such a " leadership by example " president. Any appointee serving under such a president will be extra careful in his dealings because if you are caught, there is no way you will be protected. You can't ask your people to tighten their belts when you ( the president and your appointees are not wearing belts), no, the people won't agree. Presidents of ECOWAS , hear this " it is not everything that is right to do, that is wise to do " . The power of the people is stronger than the people in power. The should have these at the back of their minds before attempting to use force to oust the the military junta in Niger. Negotiations/ Mediation is the way to go.