ECOWAS members Mali and Burkina Faso are sending a government delegation to Niger to demonstrate their solidarity with the country's military regime after the expiration of the Economic Community of West African States' ultimatum, the Malian Armed Forces have said.
"Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey, led by the Malian Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration, Government Spokesperson. Objective: to show the solidarity of the two countries to the brotherly people of Niger," the armed forces said in a statement.
Earlier, the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint statement, noting that any military intervention against Niger would lead to the withdrawal of the two countries from the ECOWAS, as well as the undertaking of measures of legitimate defense in support of the armed forces and the people of Niger.
Both nations also warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard ousted and detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the president of the caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.