The nations that border Niger threaten that any action taken to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum will be viewed as a “declaration of war” against them.
Days after West African officials vowed to use force to restore overthrown Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, the two nations—which are both governed by regimes with strong military backing—issued the warning in joint remarks read out on their national stations 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 two countries said.
“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 two neighbours also said they “refuse to apply” the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger”.
The July 26 coup in Niger has shocked West Africa and pitted the nation’s previous Western friends and regional organizations against other military rulers in the area.
The coup leaders in Niger, who have appointed General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of the presidential guard, as the nation’s new leader, 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).
The regional ECOWAS bloc has enacted sanctions that include a national asset freeze and a halt to all financial activities. Bazoum, who observers believe is being kept at his home in the capital Niamey, was also mentioned as having the authority to be reinstated through force.