The Coup leader and head of the ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) addressed the nation on Saturday (Aug. 19) and warned regional countries of any military intervention. "Neither the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland nor the people of Niger want war and remain open to dialogue. In his 12-minute speech, Tiania denounced what he called the "illegal" and "inhuman" sanctions levied by ECOWAS against Niger since the military seized power. The 11 member states that agreed to intervene militarily don’t include the bloc’s three other countries under military rule following coups: Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. The latter two have warned they would consider any intervention in Niger an act of war.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 20, 2023 17:01 UTC