The West African bloc threatened to intervene in Niger after the coup that occurred last week. Niger’s self-proclaimed new leader stated on Wednesday that the junta would not yield to pressure to bring back ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger has been sanctioned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has threatened to authorize the use of force if the coup leaders do not reinstate Bazoum’s presidency by this coming Sunday.
Additionally, on Wednesday, the bloc dispatched a delegation to Niger to negotiate, in the hopes of finding a diplomatic solution before making a decision on whether or not to intervene.
Mali and Burkina Faso which are also ruled by juntas, have stated that any military intervention in Niger would be interpreted as a declaration of war against them as well.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the former head of Niger’s presidential guard who imprisoned President Mohamed Bazoum and proclaimed himself head of state, stated that the junta “rejects these sanctions in their entirety and refuses to yield to any threats, regardless of their source. We reject any interference in Niger’s internal affairs.”
The United States, France, Germany, and Italy are evacuating personnel and citizens from Niger due to escalating conflict concerns.
French, American, German, and Italian troops are in Niger on counterinsurgency and training missions, assisting the local army in its fight against al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates.
Niger is the seventh-largest uranium producer in the world, and the European Union stated earlier this week that it had adequate natural uranium stocks to mitigate any short-term supply risks.
