BERLIN 

Germany is concerned about the “spillover effects” of the military takeover in Niger and seeking EU sanctions to increase pressure on the military leaders, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday. 

Speaking at a joint news conference with her Senegalese counterpart, Baerbock said Germany will continue to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its efforts to increase pressure on the military leaders.

“We stand behind ECOWAS’ decision to react with sanctions. As the European Union, we are there working on similar sanctions. We support ECOWAS’ efforts to find a diplomatic solution to this crisis,” she said.

“We should keep up the pressure to make it clear that we cannot get used to coups in democratically elected countries, and that we have to do everything to avoid further spillover effects,” she added.

Senegalese Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall said ECOWAS is continuing its diplomatic efforts, but also considering the potential use of force if the military administration does not return to democratic order.

“We have extended our hands to this junta in Niger to start a conversation and to see if the military goes back to the barracks, and the president, who was democratically elected, can return to power,” she said.

“We hope that the junta can be brought to its senses and that the use of force will no longer have to be an option to settle this matter,” she added.

A delegation from ECOWAS held talks in Niger’s capital Niamey on Saturday in a new diplomatic push to tackle the crisis.

Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power last month, said Saturday night on television that his ambition is not to confiscate power, and proposed a three-year power transition plan.