Burkina Faso and Mali: French Invasion of Niger, Means War!

  Leaders of African countries, Burkina Faso and Mali responded to reports regarding the possibility of a military invasion by several African countries and France in Niger. They warned that a military invasion of Niger would mean a declaration of war. The new President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore, and the interim President of Mali, Assimi Goita, Tuesday (1/8/2023) warned of all forms of military invasion in Niger. Last Friday, then Head of Niger's Presidential Guard, General Abdourahmane Tchiani announced himself as Chairman of the country's Transitional Council, after overthrowing President Mohammed Bazoum.

Immediately afterwards Niger military officials, raising the prospect of a French military invasion, and several African countries, then asked the public to take to the streets to protest the French intervention. On the other hand, the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali on Monday evening in a joint statement announced support for the coup in Niger, and emphasized that the sanctions of the West African countries, ECOWAS against Niger, are illegal and unlawful. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali also said that any military invasion of Niger would mean a declaration of war on Burkina Faso and Mali. (HS)