Burkina Faso And Mali Warn African Countries Over Niger Coup

Burkina Faso and Mali have both African countries against involvement to reinstall deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Any action towards that, will be regarded a “declaration of war” against them.

The Niger Republic neighbours who are currently under military governments have warned that any military involvement against last week’s coup leaders in Niger would be regarded a “declaration of war” against their countries.

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The warning was made by Niger’s neighbours in joint comments carried out on national broadcasters on Monday, just days after West African leaders vowed to use force to restore Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

“The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali express their fraternal solidarity… to the people of Niger, who have decided to take charge of their destiny and assume full responsibility.”

“Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to declaring war on Burkina Faso and Mali,” they warned, adding that such an action may have “disastrous consequences” that “could destabilise the entire region.”

The military authorities of Burkina Faso and Mali have also stated that they “refuse to apply” the “illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger.”

The July 26 coup in Niger shook West Africa, putting the country’s previous Western friends and regional bodies against other countries in the area.

Niger’s coup leaders, who designated former presidential guard chief General Abdourahamane Tchiani as head of state, said they ousted Bazoum because of weak administration and dissatisfaction with how he handled security threats from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL).

The power grab, the eighth in West and Central Africa in less than three years, brought quick condemnation from the African Union, the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and other nations.

The ECOWAS regional bloc has implemented penalties, including a halt in all financial activities and a freeze on state assets.

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It also stated that it could use force to return Bazoum, who observers believe is being kept at his home in Niamey.

Along with Burkina Faso and Mali, Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya, whose administration was also overthrown, has expressed “disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention.”