“DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES” FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGER, BURKINA FASO AND MALI WARN

The leader of the Malian military junta, Colonel Assimi Goita (Left) with the president of the transitional government of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré (Right). File Photo.

Tue 01 August 2023:

Any military action against the leaders of last week’s coup in Niger would be viewed as a “declaration of war,” according to the military governments of Burkina Faso and Mali.

Days after West African leaders threatened to use force to restore Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s neighbors made the warning in unified remarks played out on their national broadcasters on Monday.

“The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali express their fraternal solidarity … to the people of Niger, who have decided with full responsibility to take their destiny in hand and assume the fullness of their sovereignty before history,” the military governments of the two countries said.

Official announcement Burkina Faso and Mail, to join forces with Niger.#NigerCoup #Mali #BurkinaFaso pic.twitter.com/KSQC44GRfj

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) August 1, 2023

“Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” they warned, adding that such a move could result in “disastrous consequences” that “could destabilise the entire region”.

The Burkinabe and Malian military authorities also said they “refuse to apply” the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger”.

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The coup leaders in Niger, who have appointed General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of the presidential guard, as the new leader of the country, claimed they deposed Bazoum due to his poor leadership and because of his handling of security threats from organizations affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL).

Regional bloc ECOWAS has imposed sanctions, including a halt in all financial transactions and a national assets freeze. It also said it could authorise force to reinstate Bazoum, who observers believe is being held at his house in the capital, Niamey.

PROTESTS TARGET FRENCH EMBASSY IN NIGER IN WAKE OF COUP

A US official stated on Monday that Bazoum, who was the first Nigerien president to be legitimately elected in a peaceful transfer of power, could yet be restored and that the coup had not been entirely successful.

These remarks were echoed by Germany and France, the previous colonial power in Niger.

Earlier on Monday, the coup leaders in Niger alleged that Bazoum’s government had authorised a French attack on the presidential palace, a claim Paris has denied.