West African leaders have approved the deployment of a regional standby force to Niger to restore constitutional order following the recent coup.

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made the decision during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, after the military junta in Niger ignored the one-week ultimatum to step down.

Although details about the size and composition of the force were not provided, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara stated that his country would contribute between 850 and 1,100 troops.

The ECOWAS leaders expressed their determination to explore all options for a peaceful resolution but emphasized that all measures and principles agreed upon during the summit would be upheld. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the health and living conditions of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since the coup.

The United States and the United Nations have voiced their worries, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the protection of Bazoum's human rights. The possibility of military intervention has sparked debate within ECOWAS and drawn cautious responses from neighboring countries.

However, ECOWAS leaders reiterated their commitment to restoring constitutional order and warned of consequences for member states hindering the peaceful resolution of the crisis.