Niger: Mali, Burkina Faso unveil plans to counter ECOWAS planned military intervention

As tension continues to mount in the region, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have met to discuss a joint defence strategy in response to the announcement by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS military intervention in the coup.

According to NAN, the military staff of the three countries met in the Nigerien capital Niamey to decide on “concrete measures” in case ECOWAS chooses to “escalate a war,” according to local media reports on Saturday.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all been under military rule since coups in their respective countries and were therefore kicked out of ECOWAS.

ECOWAS declared on Friday that its forces were ready to intervene in Niger “once the order is given,” following the shocking coup that took place just over three weeks ago.

A specific date for an intervention was not announced.

All options, including a diplomatic solution, remain on the table, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah said.

Military chiefs from nine 15 member countries deliberated during a two-day meeting in Ghana’s capital, Accra.

An ECOWAS mission would initially travel to Niger, according to Musah.

If this fails, the regional bloc will resort to a military solution to restore constitutional order in Niger.