Niger junta says it would respond “immediately” to any “aggression” by West African bloc as international pressure mounts against coup leaders
Hundreds of anti-sanctions protesters gather in support of the putschist soldiers in the capital Niamey. / Photo: Reuters
Niger's junta has said it would respond immediately to any"aggression or attempted aggression" against it by West African countries, three days before the expiry of an ultimatum to restore order given by the regional bloc. "Any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger will see an immediate and unannounced response from the Niger Defence and Security Forces on one of members, with the exception of suspended friendly countries," one of the putschists said in a statement read on national television on Thursday, alluding to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.
ECOWAS has threatened the potential use of force if the junta does not restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum by Sunday, and military chiefs of the bloc's member countries met in Nigeria on Wednesday for three days of consultations. The landlocked nation is the fourth member of the Economic Community of West African States hit by a putsch since 2020.
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