Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of the coup in Niger, has issued an order that permits the military administrations of Mali and Burkina Faso to deploy their forces within Niger’s borders for the purpose of aiding in defense against a potential attack.
This declaration followed a visit to Niamey by the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Olivia Rouamba, and Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, on Thursday.
In response to the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum by a faction of army officers last month, the West African regional organization, Ecowas, has threatened to utilize military intervention to reinstate him.
While Ecowas has been engaging in diplomatic negotiations with the coup leaders, the organization has underscored its readiness to dispatch troops if these diplomatic efforts prove unsuccessful.