The Russian Federation has advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against military intervention in the Niger Republic following the recent coup.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, Mali and Burkina Faso, both suspended from ECOWAS due to military coups, expressed their support for the actions taken by the Nigerian military.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Nigeria Close All Borders With Niger Republic
These countries cautioned against any further interventions that could undermine the spirit of Pan-Africanism and even threatened to withdraw from the regional bloc.
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They emphasized their commitment to the armed forces and people of Niger, stating that any military intervention against Niger would prompt them to take “self-defence measures” in solidarity.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Niger Republic Cuts Ties with Nigeria
Addressing the situation on Wednesday, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of the Russian foreign ministry, stated that the use of force by the ECOWAS would be unhelpful.
Zakharova emphasized that the threat of military intervention in Niger will not contribute to a settlement, as Moscow believed it was crucial to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the country.
She said:
“We think that the threat of the use of force against a sovereign state will not help to defuse tensions and resolve the situation in the country. ”
Instead, the Russian Spokesperson recommended urgent national dialogue as the way forward in restoring democracy to Niger, a country that has faced five coups.
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