The rebels announced the preparation of the invasion of Niger
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The rebels of Niger announced that the ECOWAS bloc was preparing an invasion of their country, reported agency ANP with reference to the statement created by the rebels of the National Council for the Salvation of the Motherland (CNSP).
“The forces of a foreign power are preparing to attack Niger in coordination with ECOWAS and armed terrorists. <...> The Council warns ECOWAS that any interference in the interests of this power in the internal affairs of Niger will lead to disastrous consequences for the stability of the entire region,” CNSP said.
Earlier it was reported about the closure of the country’s airspace by the rebels of Niger.
On July 27, the Niger military announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazum and the closure of the country’s borders. The rebels allegedly explained their actions by the deterioration of security, economic and social problems.
On July 31, ECOWAS (it includes 15 states of the African region) issued a statement on the possible use of force if the rebels do not restore constitutional order in the country and release the deposed president within a week. On August 6, the bloc’s ultimatum expired. Previously, Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are ready to send their troops to Niger.
On August 3, an ECOWAS delegation traveled to Niger seeking a peaceful resolution, but Reuters reported that there was no progress at a meeting with the rebels at the airport. On August 4, Al Arabiya TV channel, citing a statement by ECOWAS defense ministers, reported that the organization had renounced the use of force, but decided to increase sanctions against Niger.
As Al Jazeera noted, ECOWAS already has a history of intervening to change power – in 2017, an invasion by community forces in the Gambia led to the flight of authoritarian President Yayi Jammeh, who refused to admit defeat in the elections. But the situation in Niger, which has already been backed by the military regimes of Mali and Burkina Faso, bears little resemblance to the simple operation that led to the change of power in the Gambia.
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