Amid rising show of support by the locals in Niger's capital Niamey for the military junta that took over the country last month, a delegation from the West African ECOWAS bloc arrived in Niger on Saturday, August 19.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed to find a peaceful solution rather than a military one despite posturing to the contrary the same day and the day before.&nbsp;

Led by former Nigerian president Abdulsalami Abubakar, the delegation arrived in the capital early afternoon, a day after ECOWAS military chiefs expressed their readiness to intervene and reinstate the ousted president.

The ECOWAS&nbsp;has agreed to activate a "standby force" as a final measure to restore democracy in Niger following the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

However, the organisation said it prefers for dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Shortly after the coup at the end of July, an earlier ECOWAS delegation, led by Abubakar&nbsp;attempted unsuccessfully to meet both the ousted President Bazoum and the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/niger-crisis-no-signs-of-opposition-to-junta-as-deadline-to-reverse-coup-ends-622918">Niger crisis: No signs of opposition to junta as deadline to reverse coup ends</a>

According to a source cited by the AFP, the ECOWAS&nbsp;intends to convey a strong message to the army officers and meet with Bazoum, who has been held with his family at the president's official residence since the coup.

ECOWAS Chair and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu issued a warning to Niamey on Friday, stating that there would be "serious consequences" if the new regime allows Bazoum's health to deteriorate, as reported by an EU official.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-time-for-action-west-african-leaders-threaten-intervention-in-niger-if-coup-is-not-reversed-in-a-week-620831">'It's time for action': West African leaders threaten intervention in Niger if coup is not reversed in a week</a>

On Saturday, thousands of people gathered outside the main stadium in Niamey to register as volunteer fighters or offer assistance in case the Niger junta needs support against potential military intervention from neighbouring countries.

Also watch |&nbsp;Niger Crisis: ECOWAS decides an undisclosed 'D-day' for Niger intervention

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Some parents even brought their children to sign up, while enthusiastic groups of youth chanted in favour of the junta and against both ECOWAS and France, the country's former colonial ruler.

"We came here to enlist as soldiers. Many people around the country, our brothers our sisters, went out to call for soldiers. We are here since the morning. We want to thank our president (junta leader) for what he is doing right now,"&nbsp;Mohamed Djibou, a volunteer, can be heard as telling an AFP crew in a video interview.&nbsp; 
 
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Amid rising show of support by the locals in Niger's capital Niamey for the military junta that took over the country last month, a delegation from the West African ECOWAS bloc arrived in Niger on Saturday, August 19.

Amid rising show of support by the locals in Niger's capital Niamey for the military junta that took over the country last month, a delegation from the West African ECOWAS bloc arrived in Niger on Saturday, August 19. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed to find a peaceful solution rather than a military one despite posturing to the contrary the same day and the day before. Led by former Nigerian president Abdulsalami Abubakar, the delegation arrived in the capital early afternoon, a day after ECOWAS military chiefs expressed their readiness to intervene and reinstate the ousted president. The ECOWAS has agreed to activate a "standby force" as a final measure to restore democracy in Niger following the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. However, the organisation said it prefers for dialogue to resolve the crisis. Shortly after the coup at the end of July, an earlier ECOWAS delegation, led by Abubakar attempted unsuccessfully to meet both the ousted President Bazoum and the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani. Also read | Niger crisis: No signs of opposition to junta as deadline to reverse coup ends According to a source cited by the AFP, the ECOWAS intends to convey a strong message to the army officers and meet with Bazoum, who has been held with his family at the president's official residence since the coup. ECOWAS Chair and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu issued a warning to Niamey on Friday, stating that there would be "serious consequences" if the new regime allows Bazoum's health to deteriorate, as reported by an EU official. Also read | 'It's time for action': West African leaders threaten intervention in Niger if coup is not reversed in a week On Saturday, thousands of people gathered outside the main stadium in Niamey to register as volunteer fighters or offer assistance in case the Niger junta needs support against potential military intervention from neighbouring countries. Also watch | Niger Crisis: ECOWAS decides an undisclosed 'D-day' for Niger intervention × Some parents even brought their children to sign up, while enthusiastic groups of youth chanted in favour of the junta and against both ECOWAS and France, the country's former colonial ruler. "We came here to enlist as soldiers. Many people around the country, our brothers our sisters, went out to call for soldiers. We are here since the morning. We want to thank our president (junta leader) for what he is doing right now," Mohamed Djibou, a volunteer, can be heard as telling an AFP crew in a video interview. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

West African leaders reach coup-hit Niger amid rising show of support for junta by locals

Niger coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani said on Saturday (August 19) evening that neither the junta nor the citizens wanted war, and remained open to dialogue.

Niger coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani said on Saturday (August 19) evening that neither the junta nor the citizens wanted war, and remained open to dialogue. In a televised address, General Tiani said, "I hereby reaffirm that our ambition is not to seize power. I also reaffirm our readiness to engage in any dialogue, as long as it takes into account the orientations desired by the proud and resilient people of Niger." "In short, neither the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland nor the people of Niger want war and remain open to dialogue. But let there be no misunderstanding: should aggression be undertaken against us, it will not be the walk in the park that some believe it to be. Indeed, they will find us facing 26 million Nigeriens," Tiani added. Those imposing sanctions want to isolate Niger when...: Tiani Coup leader Tiani also said that those who imposed sanctions and threatened to kill thousands of citizens hoped to divide them and impose their will against the people. "They think they can force us to accept by force what is profoundly unacceptable because it is contrary to our vital interests and cardinal values. They want to isolate our country at a time when our people most need community solidarity to better face terrorism and insecurity," he added. Also read | Niger's new PM says no harm will come to captive president Mohamed Bazoum The junta was pursuing its own agenda and would launch a national dialogue to consult on a transition back to democracy, which "should last no longer than three years," he further said. Niger witnessed a coup on July 26. On Saturday, supporters of the junta were forced to halt a census of people willing to volunteer for non-military roles in defence against a possible intervention by West African powers. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, thousands of supporters, mostly young men, massed outside a stadium in the capital Niamey hours before the scheduled start time of the event. West African bloc meets ousted president Bazoum On Saturday, a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met Niger's ousted president Mohamed Bazoum and also held talks with junta leader General Tiani in Niamey. The ECOWAS has been pursuing diplomatic ways to reverse the coup. Speaking to Reuters, an ECOWAS source said that the delegation met the junta-appointed prime minister at Niamey airport and was due to hold talks with the self-declared authorities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Niger coup: Junta says open to dialogue, warns against aggression

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West African leaders reach coup-hit Niger amid rising show of support for junta by locals

Niger coup: Junta says open to dialogue, warns against aggression