Burundi supports the position of the African Union against the military intervention in Niger against the background of the military takeover in the African nation, Burundian Defense Minister Alain Tribert Mutabazi told Sputnik Africa on Thursday.
"Our position on the situation in Niger is consistent with the statements made by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, where Burundi holds the presidency in August 2023," the minister said on the sidelines of the Army-2023 forum in Russia.
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union decided Wednesday to refrain from using force against rebels in Niger. A diplomat told media that the countries did not want to support the intervention because it could lead to "a massacre."
A coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze rebels' assets and banned commercial flights to and from the country.
In early August, the ECOWAS leaders agreed during the summit in Abuja to activate a standby force to potentially force the Nigerien military to reinstate Bazoum.
The Army-2023 forum is taking place in the Moscow Region's town of Kubinka from August 14-20. Sputnik is the official media partner of the event.