African country approves sending soldiers to Niger

The defence minister of Burkina Faso warns that if Niamey’s security is compromised, it will have an impact on his nation.

A bill allowing the government to dispatch a military detachment to defend Niger in the event that the coup leaders in Niamey are attacked was adopted by the ministerial council of Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

According to the council, the action is in keeping with Burkina Faso’s “strategic commitments,” which were stated in a statement released by the Burkina Faso Information Agency late on Wednesday.

Defence Minister Kassoum Coulibaly declared, “This commitment is made to prevent and lead our fight against terrorism as best as we can,” adding that “what affects the security of Niger fundamentally affects the security of Burkina Faso.”

The new leaders of Niger, who overthrew the previous administration in a coup last month and have since put President Mohamed Bazoum and his family under house arrest, have received the support of the military governments of Burkina Faso and Mali.

Since then, Bamako and Ouagadougou have sworn to defend the coup leaders in Niamey from any violent intervention by the ECOWAS West African regional organisation.

In event of an attack, two African nations vow to defend Niger.Two African nations pledge to defend Niger in the event of an attack.

The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has insisted on trying diplomatic methods to address the issue, but if the coup leaders continue to reject dialogue, it has proclaimed a “D-Day” to send soldiers into Niger.

The Sahel nation’s new leaders approved an order last week allowing Mali and Burkina Faso’s security and defence forces to intervene on its territory in the case of an assault.

The formation of a framework for consultation and a combined secretariat to coordinate responses to security challenges was also announced by the foreign ministries of the three former French colonies.