In a decisive move to address the crisis in Niger, West African leaders have announced the immediate deployment of a standby force ready to intervene in the country. The leaders made this announcement at the end of a crucial summit held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The summit was aimed at finding a solution to the political turmoil in neighboring Niger, where coup leaders removed the country's president from power last month.

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who currently chairs the West African bloc known as ECOWAS, emphasized that no option was off the table, including the use of force as a last resort. He read a statement at the end of the summit, signaling the region's determination to take action against the mutinous generals who have ignored mediation efforts and an ultimatum to relinquish power.

While the leaders provided no details of their plans, their resolve to intervene underscores their commitment to restoring democratic governance in Niger. The threat of military intervention was initially issued if Niger's president was not reinstated by the previous Sunday, but doubts lingered about the leaders' willingness to follow through on their red line.

It remains unclear how many troops will be mobilized, which countries they will be drawn from, and when and where they will be deployed. Niger shares borders with four countries within the ECOWAS bloc, but Burkina Faso and Mali, both led by military juntas, have already declared their support for Niger's junta, potentially complicating the intervention.

The hopes for a peaceful resolution were further dampened when the junta replaced the cabinet of the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, with a new government. This new government is led by Ali Lamine Zeine, an economist and former finance minister, with the two highest-ranking officials being coup leaders.

Omar Alieu Touray, the top administrative official of ECOWAS, expressed his disappointment in the defiant response of the military leadership in Niger, stating that all diplomatic efforts made by the bloc to resolve the crisis had been rejected.

The ongoing crisis has proven to be a challenge for various international powers involved in West Africa. The United States, with bases and troops in Niger but no current ambassador, has been humbled by this turn of events. France, Niger's former colonizer, has also faced difficulties in finding a solution. Nigeria, as the giant neighbor to the south, has been vocal in its stance against unconstitutional power grabs and is leading the regional efforts to address the crisis.

Despite widespread condemnation from the West and most West African countries, many Nigeriens have welcomed the military takeover. They see it as a much-needed change from what they perceive as over a decade of corruption under Mr. Bazoum and his predecessor.

As tensions rise and the situation remains fluid, the deployment of the standby force represents a critical juncture in the efforts to restore stability and democracy in Niger. The coming days and weeks will determine the course of action and the potential consequences for the region.