Algeria is calling for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Niger, as a military intervention will only lead to the deterioration of the situation, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said on Thursday.
"Intervening countries withdraw and leave behind grief and ruin. We believe that the crisis in Niger must be resolved peacefully," Attaf said at a press conference with his Turkish colleague, Hakan Fidan, in Ankara, adding that countries of the region have already witnessed military interventions.
The Algerian minister noted that the center of Africa from the Red Sea to the Atlantic coast, due to the unstable situation in a number of countries, is a "burning belt," besides, the world’s poorest countries are located there.
Fidan, in turn, said that Ankara was closely monitoring the developments in Niger.
Earlier in the day, French broadcaster RFI reported that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) does not think the bloc and Niger’s current leadership can reach an agreement in the coming days. ECOWAS also rejected Algeria's proposal for a six-month transition period for Niger in late August.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. Following the coup, ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened a military intervention if the military did not reinstate Bazoum.