Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened to leave ECOWAS and assist Niger’s military administration if the West African bloc invades the country.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the two countries where soldiers had recently ceased power reaffirmed their support for the military seizure of power in Niger earlier this month, offering to “lend a hand to the people of Niger” in fighting invaders.
Mali and Burkina Faso warned that “any military intervention against Niger would amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” the statement said.
They also stated that an invasion of Niger would result in their immediate departure from ECOWAS, as well as the implementation of self-defense measures in support of Niger’s military forces and people.
Mali and Burkina Faso slammed ECOWAS and its leaders, accusing them of hypocrisy.
“The Transitional Governments of Burkina Faso and Mali are deeply indignant and surprised by the imbalance observed between, on the one hand, the celerity and the adventurous attitude of certain political leaders in West Africa wishing to use force armed forces to restore constitutional order in a sovereign country, and on the other hand, the inaction, indifference and passive complicity of these organizations and political leaders in helping States and peoples who have been victims of terrorism for a decade and left to their fate,” the statement added.
It came after ECOWAS decided over the weekend to leave military options open for Niger if the coup plotters do not hand up power to democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and return to their barracks. ECOWAS also threatened to halt all trade with Niger, including banking and electricity supply, as well as to close the country’s airspace.
On July 27, Mr. Bazoum was removed from office. Soldiers promptly ordered an indefinite curfew and a border lockdown.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, who looked to be one of the coup leaders, addressed Mr. Bazoum directly, saying the soldiers took control to “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”
This development, however, has been strongly criticised by international communities, including the United States of America, the United Nations, and ECOWAS, which is led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
