Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs cautioned on Monday that a potential military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger to reinstate the deposed president could lead to a dire “catastrophe”.
President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed in a military coup on July 26, prompting ECOWAS to issue a threat of potential military intervention unless he was reinstated by Sunday.
Neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, both under military juntas, have voiced their opposition to employing force against the leaders behind the coup.
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop remarked, “We have witnessed the dire outcomes of military interventions in other nations; the consequences have been disastrous.”
He shared his views alongside Olivia Rouamba, the Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, during an event aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two military administrations.
Diop cited Iraq and Libya as instances of nations that had experienced invasions under the pretext of democracy, resulting in unsuccessful consequences.
He expressed his perplexity regarding ECOWAS’ decision to deploy a military force to reinstate “deposed governments” while withholding arms assistance to aid the Sahel countries in their battle against jihadism.
The coup in Niger received condemnation from both Western powers and the majority of African nations. However, the Malian and Burkinabe authorities asserted that any interference in Niger would be interpreted as a “declaration of hostilities” against their respective nations.
The potential for military intervention raised apprehensions within certain circles.
On Saturday, prominent Nigerian senators, hailing from a pivotal regional position, urged President Bola Tinubu – concurrently serving as the chairperson of the West African bloc – to further bolster the realm of political and diplomatic solutions.
Both ECOWAS and Western nations are resolutely advocating for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger, coupled with the imperative release of detained Bazoum.
