In a joint statement issued by authorities in Ouagadougou and Bamako, they warned that any military intervention in Niger to reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered an “act of war” against Burkina Faso and Mali. The statement came after West African leaders hinted at using “force” during a meeting held in the Nigerien capital, Abuja.
The joint statement from the authorities of both countries emphasized that any military intervention against Niger would lead Burkina Faso and Mali to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and take measures to support the armed forces and people of Niger. They further cautioned against the catastrophic consequences of military intervention, which could destabilize the entire region.
The authorities expressed their rejection of what they termed “illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger,” which were agreed upon in Abuja.
ECOWAS military leaders set a one-week deadline on Sunday for “full return to constitutional order” in Niger, not ruling out “resorting to force” if there is no compliance.
In addition, the regional organization decided to “suspend all trade and financial exchanges” between member states and Niger. It also imposed financial sanctions, including freezing the assets of military officials involved in the attempted coup.
In a separate statement, the authorities in Guinea, also stemming from a coup, expressed their disagreement with the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, including military intervention, and declared that they will not apply these measures, considering them to be illegitimate and inhumane. They urged the regional bloc to reconsider its position.