Burkina Faso and Mali deployed warplanes to the Niger Republic on Friday to counteract the threat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
MUK had reported that ECOWAS ordered the activation of its standby force, with the Defense Chiefs of the sub-regional bloc affirming that they were ready to invade Niger.
But in a show of solidarity against ECOWAS’ possible military intervention, Burkina Faso and Mali, two military-led countries in West Africa, have proactively shown deterrence.
According to a report aired on Niger’s state television, joint efforts by the two countries to support the Niger Republic and the deployment of warplanes within Niger’s borders were highlighted.
“Mali and Burkina Faso turned their commitments into concrete action by deploying warplanes to respond to any attack on Niger,” it said, noting the planes were Super Tucano fighter jets.
Recall that both Burkina Faso and Nigeria had previously released a statement of support for the Niger Republic against the planned ECOWAS military operation to alter the course of the coup in the country.
In the statement, they warned that any intervention would be seen as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.
