The military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso have said they have sent fighter jets to Niger in a show of solidarity against a possible military intervention by the Organization of the West African States (ECOWAS) in the country. – that language. ♣
The deployment of warplanes within Niger’s borders took place on Friday and is in line with an earlier threat by Mali and Burkina Faso to respond in unison if ECOWAS decides to attack the Republic of Niger.
A report published on Niger national television shows, “Mali and Burkina Faso turned their decision into concrete action by deploying warplanes to respond to any attack on Niger. According to TRT World, an online news website, the two countries sent an unknown number of Super. Tucano fighter jets to the embattled country. During the meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff in Ghana, on Friday, the regional group also decided to send troops to the conflict zone but did not say the date of the next military operation in Niger.
Burkina Faso and Mali, both under military leadership, have already issued a statement of support for Niger against the ECOWAS military operation aimed at changing the course of violence in Niger.
Recruitment for the civilian army called Volunteers for the Defense of Niger (VDN) will begin on Saturday in the capital city of Niamey. Volunteers interested in joining the VDN will gather at the Seyni Kountche General Stadium where anyone over 18 can sign up.
The same efforts are also organized along the borders of Nigeria and Benin. The soldiers will help the armed forces in different capacities, including combat as well as medical care, equipment, technology, and technical support. when required by the military administration. A similar military group with the same name exists in Burkina Faso, supporting the army in terrorist activities.
However, the United States has reiterated its support for the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) on how to send troops to remove the military regime that destroyed the democratically elected Republic. of Niger.
The first deputy spokesperson of, the US State Department, Mr. Vedant Patel, who said this in a digital press conference facilitated by the African Community Media Center, however, noted that the use of force will only investigate the peaceful initiatives going on active fails and the genes remain intact.
“We support what ECOWAS is doing, and this is the time to continue focusing on diplomacy, which ECOWAS has also said continues to be their priority, and that such military intervention is the last resort. So, we are focused on finding a diplomatic solution and we are working closely with ECOWAS, but of course, I will not preempt this or go into speculation.
“What we have said is that we want to find a civil government solution to this. This is something that ECOWAS and other regional partners share, and it is something that we will continue to work on in close coordination with ECOWAS, the African Union, and others.
There are some concerns about this stance, which gives rise to an increased crisis that could spread to a regional conflict.
He revealed that the US government has made it clear to the CNSP, that the security and well-being of President Bazoum and his family is the responsibility of the republic. “It’s something we continue to pay attention to, and we will hold the appropriate players accountable if that changes.
In addition, however, we continue to maintain our strong desire for finding a diplomatic solution that we believe in and we hope that it will respect the constitutional process in Niger,” he said.
Patel said that the US has been deeply involved in efforts to resolve the crisis since the government took office on July 26, 2023. Meanwhile, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have met to discuss
a joint defense strategy in response to the announcement by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS military intervention in the coup.
Military staff of the three countries met in the Nigerien capital Niamey to decide on “concrete measures” in case ECOWAS chooses to “escalate a war,” according to local media reports yesterday.
All options, including a diplomatic solution, remain on the table, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said. Military chiefs from nine out of the 15 member countries deliberated during a two-day meeting in Ghana’s capital, Accra. An ECOWAS mission would initially travel to Niger, according to Musah. If this fails, the regional bloc would resort to a military solution to restore constitutional order in Niger.
All member states, except those ruled by the military, as well as Cape Verde, have reportedly agreed to participate.