Algeria FM on W.Africa tour to discuss Niger crisis
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Algeria's top diplomat tours West Africa in an effort to solve the crisis in neighboring Niger.
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Algerian flags fly at half-staff along the seaside walk in Algiers, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP)
Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, began a tour of West African countries on Wednesday, in a bid to find a solution following the coup in neighboring Niger.
Attaf was "mandated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune" to go on a diplomatic tour to Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, the Algerian foreign ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter. He is set to hold "consultations on the crisis in Niger and ways of dealing with it" with his counterparts in West African countries, which form part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The regional West African bloc has issued a threat to employ military force in order to reinstate Niger's elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was apprehended by guards on July 26.
Algeria, which shares a significant 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) land border with Niger, has previously cautioned against resorting to a military solution. Algerian President Tebboune emphasized that such an approach would directly jeopardize his North African nation. Tebboune stated, "A solution cannot be achieved without our involvement. We are the ones most directly impacted."
Read next: African Union suspends Niger, rejects African and intl. intervention
Earlier on Tuesday, Algeria rejected France's request to use its airspace for a military attack on Niger. According to multiple media reports, including Algerian state radio, it was suggested that France was considering a strike against the new military leadership in Niamey if they did not release Bazoum, who has been detained since July 26.
In response to Algeria's refusal, France reportedly sought permission from Morocco to allow its military aircraft to traverse Moroccan airspace. France, which maintains around 1,500 troops in its former colony Niger, has faced accusations from the coup leaders of planning a military intervention to reinstate the deposed President.
While the French Foreign Ministry has denied any intent of armed intervention, it has reiterated its support for the West African regional bloc ECOWAS.
ECOWAS has threatened to employ force to reverse the coup and restore democratic governance in Niger. However, France maintains that its engagement is aligned with ECOWAS efforts, rather than aiming for direct intervention.
The African Union took the step of suspending Niger on Tuesday until civilian governance is reinstated and announced its intent to assess the implications of any potential armed intervention.
Notably, Algeria, as the largest country in Africa, shares borders with Libya and Mali, both of which have been embroiled in long-standing conflicts. Niger becomes the fourth West African nation to experience a coup since 2020, following similar events in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.
The governing bodies in Burkina Faso and Mali have underscored that any military intervention in Niger would be considered tantamount to a "declaration of war" against their own countries.
What do you need to know?
On July 26, the Nigerien presidential guard overthrew Bazoum. The guard's commander, Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.
The military chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States met to discuss options for military intervention in Niger. The goal of the meeting reportedly is to outline a plan for the intervention, its strategy, logistical aspects, and timetable.
Correspondingly, military leaders in Niger have warned against any armed intervention in their country, stressing that they will "resolutely defend their homeland."
The interim governments of Mali and Burkina Faso warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.
ECOWAS has resorted to implementing a full pressure campaign on the country, which included the closure of land and air borders between the bloc's countries and Niger, the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions with it, and the freezing of the country's assets in ECOWAS Central Banks.
The bloc also suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze the assets of the coup leaders, their families, and supporters, and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country.
