Burkina Faso: We will defend Niger from military intervention

Burkina Faso’s Defense Minister Kassoum Coulibaly said they are ready for the possible military intervention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger and will support Niamey in this case.

In a private interview with Sputnik, Minister Coulibaly spoke about the steps his country will take in light of the events in Niger. Criticizing ECOWAS’s stance on Niger, Coulibaly asserted that member states should not fight each other.

“We are part of an economic union,” Coulibaly said. It is astonishing that some member states want to start a civil war and that some heads of state want to wage war against other countries under the pretext of democracy.” saying. “Burkina Faso is ready to withdraw from ECOWAS. Because the community’s policies towards Niger are very illogical.” he used the phrase.

“We expect ECOWAS forces to attack Niger,” Coulibaly said. In any case, our president (Ibrahim Traore) said that we are ready to attack and support Niger.” he said. Defense Minister Coulibaly stated that the establishment of a Russian military base in Burkina Faso is not on the agenda either.

‘THE DEPLOYED LEADER WILL NOT BE HARMED’

Meanwhile, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, who was appointed as prime minister by the National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (CNSP) on August 7 following the July 26 coup in Niger, announced that “no harm will be done ” to the president. Mohammed Bazum from Niger, who is under house arrest.

In an interview with The New York Times, Zeine noted that the military administration in Niger has no plans to cooperate with Russia or Niger-linked Wagner mercenaries, “Don’t force Nigerians to turn to actors you don’t want to see in the region.” used the phrase.

Stating that they have no intention of harming President Bazum of Niger, Zeine said: “(To Bazum) Nothing will happen because violence is not in our tradition in Niger.” she made the assessment of him. Noting that military cooperation with the United States will be “reviewed,” Zeine said the Biden administration has taken a “pretty sensible stance” in the current situation. (AA)