- The alliance is coming on heels of military invasion threat from the Economic Communities of West African State
- The three countries’ announced the development in a joint statement by their foreign ministers in Niamey, Niger’s capital
The junta in Niger Republic has forged a military alliance with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.
Recall that the junta toppled the government of president Mohammed Bazoum in a military coup on July 26.
The alliance is coming on heels of military invasion threat from the Economic Communities of West African State.
The three countries’ announced the development in a joint statement by their foreign ministers in Niamey, Niger’s capital.
The agreement allows Mali and Burkina Faso to provide military aid to Niger in the event of military action against the putschists there. Mali and Burkina Faso have already reached a similar deal.
The reported agreement also calls for the three countries to work together to combat terrorist groups operating within their borders and safeguard their borders.
Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launched a standby force and threatened military action if the junta didn’t reinstall democratically elected Bazoum and restore constitutional order following the July coup in Niger. ECOWAS and the Nigerien junta held talks the preceding weekend.
ECOWAS has repeatedly said it would not hesitate to go the military action route if negotiations and dialogue didn’t yield any positive result.
Last week, the junta announced three years transition period to civilian rule. This was however rejected by ECOWAS who wanted a swift return to democracy in the poor West Africa nation.