A group of soldiers seized power in Niger Wednesday July 26 after the presidential guard detained Bazoum who came to power in 2021 through disputed elections. Monday, Mali and Burkina Faso, all led by juntas, issued a joint statement indicating that any military intervention against Niger would mean a declaration of war. “The interim governments of Burkina Faso and Mali… warn that any military intervention against Niger will amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali”, the statement said. Both countries also said they might withdraw from ECOWAS in the event of a military intervention by the regional bloc against neighboring Niger. “The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali… warn that any military intervention against Niger could result in the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS and the adoption of legitimate defense measures in support of the Armed Forces and people of Niger”, the statement continued.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 01, 2023 15:18 UTC