Burkina Faso and Mali have deployed war planes in Niger Republic following the threat of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) troops that they were waiting for order to strike.
The regional bloc had given Niger junta a week ultimatum to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or face possible sanctions, including possible military action.
The coupists had called the bluff of ECOWAS and vowed to resist foreign intervention.
Subsequently, ECOWAS Defence Chiefs were ordered to activate the region’s force for action to restore civil rule in Niger.
But Burkina Faso and Mali warned that any military intervention in Niger will be considered a declaration of war against them.
In a joint statement, the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali said, “The disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger could destabilise the entire region,” the statement read.
This comes as a delegation from ECOWAS has arrived in Niger Republic for talks with the military officers who have seized power.
According to AFP, a plane carrying the delegation led by former Nigerian military leader General Abdulsalami Abubakar landed in the capital Niamey at around 1200 pm on Saturday ahead of talks to return the country to democratic rule.
A source close to the latest delegation told the news agency that the ECOWAS representatives would send “a message of firmness” to the army officers and meet Bazoum.
The latest move of Mali and Burkina Faso was disclosed by Niger’s national television.
In a report, the television station said the military leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger convened in the Nigerien capital Niamey to decide on concrete measures which included deployment of warplanes in case ECOWAS chooses to “escalate a war.”
