Mali, Burkina Faso, to send delegation to Niger
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Mali and Burkina Faso agree to send a delegation to Niger following ECOWAS' threats of military intervention against the country.
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Supporters of Niger's ruling junta play instruments in Niamey, Niger, Aug. 6, 2023 (AP)
In a display of solidarity with Niger, which is currently under the control of a coup leader who ousted the democratically elected government, Burkina Faso and Mali have announced the dispatch of an official joint delegation to the capital city, Niamey.
"Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey," the Malian army said. "The aim: to demonstrate the solidarity of the two countries with the brotherly people of Niger."
The primary objective of this delegation is to demonstrate unwavering support for the people of Niger, whom they refer to as "brotherly." The delegation is scheduled to arrive in Niamey on Monday, according to the Nigerien foreign ministry.
This gesture of solidarity comes amidst mounting pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which issued a deadline for the coup leaders to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. Failure to comply with this ultimatum could result in potential military action from the regional bloc.
The political crisis in Niger took a sharp turn on July 26, when the presidential guard detained President Bazoum, leading to the subsequent declaration of interim leadership by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also assumed the presidency of the caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.
The ECOWAS military chiefs met to discuss options for military intervention in Niger. The goal of the meeting was to outline a plan for the intervention, its strategy, logistical aspects, and timetable.
Failure to comply could result in ECOWAS resorting to "all measures," including military intervention, to restore order in the African nation. Several European countries have followed suit, suspending aid to Niger and evacuating their citizens.
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.
Despite the ultimatum deadline set by ECOWAS, thousands of Nigeriens took to the streets in the capital, Niamey, on Sunday, to show their support for the rebel military.
The interim governments of Mali and Burkina Faso issued a joint statement saying the authorities of Burkina Faso and Mali, the two countries warned that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would constitute a declaration of war against their own countries, adding that the consequences of a military intervention would destabilize the entire Sahel region.
After Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger is the third country in less than three years to be rocked by a military coup.
Just like those African leaders that were toppled by military juntas, Bazoum was also backed by Western powers.
Read more: Change of regime in Niger could be a blow to the West: Politico
