Russia warns against military intervention in Niger

A day after West African leaders declared they would mobilize a “standby” force in their efforts to restore president Mohamed Bazoum who was overthrown in a coup, Russia issued a warning against military intervention in Niger on Friday.

The Russian foreign ministry stated that “we believe that a military solution to the crisis in Niger could lead to a protracted confrontation in that African nation, as well as to a sharp destabilization of the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region as a whole.”

West African nations planned a military intervention on Friday, but they still hope for a ‘diplomatic’ resolution.

On July 26, the Nigerien military overthrew former President Mohamed Bazoum, the eighth coup in West and Central Africa in three years, threatening additional turmoil in an impoverished country fighting an Islamist insurgency.

On Thursday, ECOWAS activated a standby force to use against the new junta, stating that all options, including military action, were open.

It was unclear how large, if it would invade, and which countries would contribute. Security analysts said an ECOWAS force may take weeks to assemble, allowing for discussions.

On Thursday, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara called Bazoum’s incarceration “a terrorist act” and pledged to send a battalion of troops to the force.

An Ivorian army spokeswoman stated a battalion had 850 personnel. Other nations have not stated how many troops they could provide.

Standby force mobilise

On Friday, an ECOWAS official said West African army chiefs of staff will meet next week to plot a military operation in Niger.

Nigerian and Ivory Coast army sources stated the meeting would take place in Ghana on Saturday.