Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, three West African nations, have expressed support for the coup leaders in Niger, a move that could pose a threat to regional stability. Previous coups in Burkina Faso and Mali were partly triggered by frustrations over the failure of authorities to address the Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region, which includes Niger.
In response to the military coup in Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an extraordinary session in Abuja, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, its chairperson. ECOWAS reached a resolution to impose several sanctions on Niger over the coup and issued a one-week ultimatum for the coup plotters to hand over power to the democratically elected government.
The Nigerien army command supported the coup, citing its aim to prevent bloodshed, and warned against foreign military intervention, fearing “disastrous and uncontrolled consequences.” However, ECOWAS and other countries and organizations have strongly condemned the coup. The United States, Germany, and the European Union (EU) have suspended their financial support to Niger in response.
ECOWAS’ resolution also includes using all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in Niger, including the use of force if its demands are not met within the specified timeframe. The regional bloc closed all land and air borders between member countries and Niger and suspended all commercial and financial transactions with Niger.
Mali and Burkina Faso issued a joint statement warning ECOWAS against further interventions that would jeopardize the spirit of Pan-Africanism and threatened to withdraw from the regional bloc. They expressed solidarity with the people of Niger, who have taken their destiny into their own hands.
Guinea’s head of state, Mamady Doumbouya, also opposed the sanctions advocated by ECOWAS, stating that they could lead to a human disaster with consequences beyond Niger’s borders. Guinea expressed strong support for Niger and hailed the military’s intervention.
The situation remains tense and complex, with regional stability at risk. The actions of ECOWAS and other countries will play a crucial role in determining the resolution of the crisis in Niger and its potential implications for the broader Sahel region.