BREAKING: Niger’s Junta Grants Approval For Troops Of Mali And Burkina Faso To Defend The Country In Case Of Attack

BREAKING: Niger’s Junta Grants Approval For Troops Of Mali And Burkina Faso To Defend The Country In Case Of Attack

The military junta in Niger has granted permission for the armed forces of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso to enter the country in the event of an attack, according to a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of these nations on Thursday, August 24, as reported by Reuters.

This move could signify the junta’s intention to resist regional pressure to step down.

The statement affirmed that the junta leader, General Abdourahamane (Omar) Tiani, has authorized the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Nigerien territory if faced with an attack.

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The statement also highlighted that the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso and Mali expressed their opposition to an armed intervention against the people of Niger, which they deemed as a declaration of war.

Earlier, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had attempted diplomatic negotiations with the Nigerien military junta.

However, ECOWAS representatives had warned that member states might deploy their troops to Niger to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts failed.

Responding to this, Mali and Burkina Faso, both under junta leadership, pledged their support to Niger in the event of any conflict with ECOWAS.

The potential escalation of this situation raises concerns about further destabilization in the region. As of August 24, RFI radio station reported that Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal were already in the process of forming military contingents to intervene in Niger under the auspices of ECOWAS.

The participation of Ghana’s military in the operation is also being considered, and the possibility of involving forces from other ECOWAS member countries is not ruled out.

As previously reported, on July 27, members of the presidential guard carried out a coup by arresting Niger’s incumbent President, Mohamed Bazoum.

The following day, General Omar Tiani announced his takeover on state television, declaring himself the head of the transitional council to assume power in the country.