They consider such intervention as a “declaration of war” against their own countries. The warning comes in response to West African leaders, backed by their Western partners, threatening to use force to restore constitutional order in Niger and imposing financial sanctions on the coup leaders.
Burkina Faso and Mali emphasize the potential disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, which could destabilize the entire region. They reject the “illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions” imposed on the people and authorities of Niger. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had demanded the reinstatement of President Bazoum within a week, warning of the possibility of using force if the demand is not met.
Amid pressure from Western and African partners to restore constitutional order, Niger’s junta accuses France of seeking military intervention to reinstate Bazoum, an allegation denied by the French Foreign Minister. France remains committed to returning the president to power and warns against destabilization in the region. Meanwhile, Russia calls for the swift return of the rule of law in Niger.
President Bazoum, a Western ally and Niger’s elected leader, was toppled by the Presidential Guard on July 26, with the ECOWAS rejecting the Guard’s leader’s claim to power. Bazoum’s party warns of the risk of Niger turning into a dictatorial regime following a series of arrests of former government officials. Niger’s situation is part of a larger crisis in the Sahel region, characterized by jihadist insurgency and political instability in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.
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