Burkina Faso, Mali declare intervention in Niger is a war against them
2 Min Read
The joint communique reiterates solidarity with the Nigeriens in the face of "illegal and inhumane" sanctions by the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and the African Union and calls for strengthened cooperation.
-
Demonstrators hold up a Nigerien flag in Niamey, Niger on August 3, 2023 (AFP)
In a joint communique released on Friday following a prior visit, Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Olivia Rouamba and her Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Diop, confirmed that any military intervention against Niger will be a declared war against their countries.
Chief diplomats of both nations reportedly convened on Thursday with Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine and the country’s new ruler, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani.
"They reaffirmed, among other things, their rejection of any military intervention against the people of Niger, which would be considered a declaration of war," the communique stated, reiterating solidarity with the Nigeriens in the face of "illegal and inhumane" sanctions by the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
They also echoed their joint goal to strengthen cooperation among all three states - Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Read more: Niger and the African struggle against neo-colonialism
It is reported that the coup leaders in Niger agreed to allow Mali and Burkina Faso to deploy armed forces to fend off any potential military aggression against Niamey.
Niger launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to gather thousands of civilian volunteers to help the Armed Forces repel possible military actions anticipated shortly. Individuals signing up could also assist with medical efforts and join engineering, logistics, and technical teams, among other forms of contributions, Amsarou Bako, one of the founders, told AP last Tuesday.
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.
As of Thursday, Algeria has taken diplomatic action by dispatching its foreign ministry's secretary general, Lounes Magramane, for talks.
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 Twitter). He was set to hold "consultations on the crisis in Niger and ways of dealing with it" with his counterparts in West African countries.
Read next: RS: The fate of US troops in Niger
