Mali, Burkina Faso Warn Against Military Intervention in Niger …Support Coup Government

In response to the recent coup in Niger, neighbouring countries Mali and Burkina Faso have issued a strong warning, stating that any military intervention against the coup leaders will be considered a “declaration of war” against their nations.

The military governments of both countries expressed solidarity with the people of Niger and supported their decision to take control of their destiny and sovereignty.

The leaders of Mali and Burkina Faso cautioned that any military action against Niger could have disastrous consequences, potentially destabilizing the entire region. The coup in Niger saw the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum, with the coup leaders citing poor governance and dissatisfaction with his handling of security threats from extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.

The coup has drawn widespread condemnation from various regional and international organizations, including the African Union, the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). ECOWAS responded to the coup by imposing sanctions on Niger, including a halt in financial transactions and freezing of national assets, with the possibility of authorizing force to reinstate Bazoum.

However, Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya, whose government also came to power through a coup, disagreed with the ECOWAS sanctions, calling them “illegitimate and inhumane.” Instead, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea expressed support for Niger’s military government and sought to consolidate the coup by arresting top officials of the deposed government.

The situation in Niger has raised concerns among international observers, who fear that the instability could create an opportunity for organizations like the Wagner Group, a private mercenary company based in Russia, to exploit the situation. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, reportedly praised the coup, while the Kremlin in Russia expressed serious concern over the developments in Niger.

As tensions remain high and the international community closely monitors the situation, the future of Niger’s government and stability in the region hang in the balance.