Burkina Faso, Mali warn ECOWAS against military intervention in Niger

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso and Mali on Monday threw their support behind the newly installed junta in Niger and warned against any military intervention in the country's affairs.

Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani deposed the government of President Mohamed Bazoum late last week. 

The coup has drawn widespread international condemnation, with the West African bloc ECOWAS giving him a week to hand back power to Bazoum.

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"Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," the two countries said in a joint statement on Monday.

They said the "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilize the entire region." The two governments also "refuse to apply" the "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger," the statement said.

The statement comes after leaders of ECOWAS threatened to use "force" to reinstate Bazoum and imposed sanctions on Niger's government.

In a separate statement, Guinea expressed its "disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention," urging the bloc "reconsider its position."

The governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea are also the result of recent military coups.