The Council of Ministers of Burkina Faso has approved the bill to send a military contingent to Niger, the Burkina24 news portal reported on Wednesday.
The council has approved the draft law authorizing the deployment of a Burkinabe military contingent to Niger — the decision is fully in line with Burkina Faso's strategic commitments, the report said.
Burkinabe Defense Minister Kassoum Coulibaly has said that the deployment of the contingent to Niger would contribute to the fight against terrorism, adding that Niger's security is closely linked to that of Burkina Faso, the report said.
Coulibaly told Sputnik in mid-August that the country was preparing for a possible military intervention in Niger by the forces of the ECOWAS. He then said that Burkina Faso was ready to support Niamey.
Media reported last week that the coup leaders in Niger will allow Mali and Burkina Faso to deploy forces to its territory in the event of military aggression against Niger.
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard ousted and detained President Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Tchiani, proclaimed himself the president of the caretaker of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland-led government. Most Western countries, as well as ECOWAS, condemned it. In early August, ECOWAS adopted a plan for a potential military intervention in Niger.