Mali, Burkina Faso Warn Against Military Intervention In Niger

The junta-led governments of Burkina Faso and Mali on Monday issued a warning that any military effort to restore Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be viewed as a “declaration of war against their two countries.”

The warning followed West African leaders, backed by Western partners, threatening the use of “force” to reinstate Bazoum, the democratically elected leader. In addition, they imposed financial sanctions on the coup leaders.

Both Burkina Faso and Mali denounced these moves, insisting that they refuse to apply the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger”.

The tensions are rising as Western and African partners pressure the coup instigators to restore constitutional order in Niger, a country deemed crucial in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region.

Amidst these tensions, France and the United States have a combined 2,600 soldiers deployed in Niger.

In response to the junta’s accusations of France’s plans for military intervention, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denied these allegations.

Instead, she emphasised the urgency of restoring the president to power, citing that destabilization could be “perilous for Niger and its neighbours”.

Niger’s political landscape is further complicated by a series of arrests, leading to criticisms from Bazoum’s PNDS party and international bodies, including the European Union, which condemned the arrests and demanded immediate release of the detainees.

This recent upheaval in Niger underscores the broader instability in the Sahel region, which has witnessed jihadist insurgencies and multiple coups since 2020.

Amid the turmoil, anti-French sentiments and pro-Russian demonstrations have been on the rise, with some supporters arguing that Russia would be a stronger ally in the fight against jihadists.

In the wake of the recent coup, international pressure is increasing, with measures ranging from targeting trade and development aid to suspending humanitarian operations.

Amidst the pressure, Niger’s junta insists that the coup was a response to increasing security concerns, corruption, and economic issues.