In what can be seen as a significant escalation in crisis in Niger and an indication of developing geopolitical equations in Africa, Mali and Burkina Faso have said that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered a “declaration of war” against their countries too. Both countries are neighbours of Niger, which have recently formed governments following military coups.
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“Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” the two countries warned in a joint statement. It comes after West African leaders threatened to use “force” in order to reinstate Bazoum. The leaders have also spoken of possible sanctions on the putschists.
Mali and Burkio Faso said the “disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger… could destabilise the entire region”.
The two refused to apply the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger”.
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General Abdourahamane Tiani had declared himself leader of Niger. However, the claim has been shunned internationally and the West African bloc ECOWAS has given him a week to hand back power.
Niger is the third country in Africa’s Sahel region to be shaken by a military coup in less than three years. It has followed Mali and Burkina Faso.
Guineam, another country whose government was also the result of a coup, issued a statement and expressed its “disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention”.
It said it had “decided not to apply these sanctions, which it considers illegitimate and inhumane”, and urged ECOWAS to “reconsider its position”.
Niger claims France plotting military intervention
Niger’s military leaders meanwhile have alleged that the deposed government of Mohamed Bazoum has authorised France to carry out a military intervention and free the ousted president.
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“In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France with the complicity of some Nigeriens, held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien national guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorisation needed,” said a statement by the military junta that was read out on national television, according to AFP news agency.
France is the former colonial power in Africa and still has some waning influence in the continent. Niger itself was a French colony for more than 50 years. It gained independence in 1960. Before last week’s coup, diplomatic relations between France and Niger were strong.
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Publish date : 2023-08-01 07:00:00
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