Niger to Allow Mali and Burkina Faso to Deploy Troops in Case of Invasion

Nigerian authorities have signed documents allowing Mali and Burkina Faso to enter the country if necessary. This was announced by Niger's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The information was reported by Interfax, referencing the France24 television channel.

The statement was made following a visit to Niger by the Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso and Mali, Olivia Rouamba and Abdoulaye Diop, respectively.

Last Friday, Abdelfattah Moussa, a representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stated that the military commanders of member states have confirmed their readiness to intervene in the situation in Niger “as soon as they receive orders.”

The authorities of Burkina Faso and Mali had previously stated that the invasion of foreign forces into Niger would be considered aggression directed against their countries.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that an ECOWAS intervention in Niger would lead to a disastrous scenario for the country and the region, noting that not all members of the organization support such a move.

On July 26, it became known that some members of the presidential guard in Niger had rebelled against President Mohamed Bazoum. The Nigerien Armed Forces General Staff supported the insurgent fighters.