Burkina Faso and Mali have dispatched warplanes to Niger Republic as a response to the threat made by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) troops, stating that they were awaiting orders to take action.
The regional body, ECOWAS, issued a one-week ultimatum to the Niger junta to restore President Mohamed Bazoum or potentially face sanctions, including military intervention.
In response, the coup leaders defied ECOWAS and pledged to resist foreign interference. Consequently, the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs were instructed to activate the regional military force with the objective of reinstating civilian rule in Niger.
Burkina Faso and Mali, however, issued a stern warning that any military intervention in Niger would be perceived as a declaration of war against them. The two nations jointly stated, “The disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger could destabilize the entire region.”
During a two-day meeting in Accra, Ghana’s capital, Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, confirmed their readiness for action but emphasized that diplomatic options remained open.
Musah noted, “We are ready to go any time the order is given. The D-day is also decided. We’ve already agreed and fine-tuned what will be required for the intervention.”
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He further stated, “Tomorrow there is the possibility of an ECOWAS mission going into Niger to continue to pursue the peaceful path to the restoration of constitutional order. We are ready to resolve the issue peacefully, but it takes two to tango.”
Niger’s national television in a recent report, revealed that military leaders from these countries, alongside Niger, gathered in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to discuss “concrete measures” in the event ECOWAS chooses to escalate the situation into a conflict.
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While most ECOWAS member states are prepared to contribute to the joint force, exceptions include Cape Verde and countries under military rule – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
