Want Military Intervention, Junta Niger Threatens To Attack Back To ECOWAS Country

JAKARTA - Tensions are increasing on the African continent after the West African bloc plans to intervene in Niger militarily.

The newly appointed Niger Junta threatened to attack the member states of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) if the plan was carried out.

National Security Council spokesman Amadou Abdramane delivered this when reading the declaration via television announcing the withdrawal of ambassadors in Paris, Abuja, Lome and Washington.

"Any aggression against the Niger State will see a flashy and unexpected response from the Niger Security and Defense Forces in one of the members (the block)," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, August 5.

There are "unqualified friendly countries that have been suspended," he said, alluding to Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Nigeria is currently chairman of ECOWAS and has promised to respond firmly to the coup.

Urging the public to be careful with enemies and agents from foreign countries, Abdramane asked the Niger community to notify officials of any alleged incidents.

All cooperation and military protocols with France have been suspended, the declaration reads.

On Wednesday the United States ordered the evacuation of all non-emergency government personnel from the Embassy in Niger amid fears of widespread conflict.

European countries, such as France, have repatriated their citizens.

On July 26 President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard and on the evening, the military announced that it had seized power. The Commander of the Niger Presidential Guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, declared himself head of the transitional government two days after removing Bazoum.

On Sunday ECOWAS gave a week-long deadline to the Niger junta for the country to return to normal and free Bazoum, which was elected democratically in 2021.

The West African bloc has threatened to use force and its defense chiefs have met in Nigeria to discuss this.