Burkina Faso, Mali back Niger’s Coup, warns ECOWAS Military Intervention ‘Will Tantamount to War’

Burkina Faso and Mali, on Monday, backed the military junta in Niger and warned the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) leaders against military intervention in Niger, saying it would be tantamount to war in the West African region.

ECOWAS after their emergency meeting chaired by its Chairman, President Bola Tinubu in Abuja gave the junta seven days ultimatum to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held captive or face sanctions.

However, a joint statement by the two countries, Burkina Faso and Mali which are both ruled by military-backed governments, conveys a warning on the threat by West African Leaders.

Burkina Faso and Mali in the statement which was read on their national broadcasts on Monday night, urged the West African leaders to leave Niger alone, stressing that any funny move would result in “disastrous consequences”.

Part of the statement reads, “The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali express their fraternal solidarity… to the people of Niger, who have decided with full responsibility to take their destiny in hand and assume the fullness of their sovereignty before history.

“Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.”

The coup in Niger which occurred on July 26 and the Niger’s coup leaders named General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former presidential guard chief, as Head of State.

According to the military junta in Niger, President Bazoum was overthrown over poor governance and discontent with the way he handled security threats from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.