Burkina Faso and Mali Deploy Fighter Jets in Niger Republic Ahead of ECOWAS Meeting

The West African nations of Burkina Faso and Mali have collaboratively dispatched fighter jets to the Niger Republic in anticipation of potential military actions that might be undertaken by forces from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) within the country.

Burkina Faso and Mali have issued a stern caution, stating that any involvement of military forces in Niger would be interpreted as a formal declaration of war against them.

It’s worth recalling that ECOWAS had previously issued a ultimatum, expressing intentions to engage in armed conflict with the Niger Republic if the ruling junta failed to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected through democratic means.

Both Burkina Faso and Mali have articulated concerns that a military intervention within Niger could give rise to significant turmoil in the broader region.

A joint communiqué from the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali emphasizes, in part: “The potential dire repercussions of a military intervention in Niger could substantially disrupt stability across the entire region.”