Mali And Burkina Faso Back Niger Coup And Warn Against Any Foreign Military Intervention

Junta-led Burkina Faso and Mali have warned that any military intervention to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger will be viewed as a “declaration of war“ against their two nations. Niger’s neighbours issued this warning in joint statements read out on their national broadcasters on Monday, July 31st, 2023, in response to the conclusion of a conference by the regional organisation ECOWAS, which slapped financial sanctions on the Niger coup leaders and gave them a seven-day ultimatum to release arrested President Mohamed Barzoum and reinstate civilian rule or face consequences, with the use of military force being considered as a last resort. This move is considered by analysts as a tactical way to protect the recent regime change in Niger. This declaration came from Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, State minister for Territorial Administration and Decentralisation of the Mali junta, who spoke on the state television network ORTM. The July 26 coup in Niger has shocked West Africa and pitted