Burkina Faso and Mali: Foreign intervention in Niger would be a declaration of war on our countries

(Patria) - Any military intervention in Niger to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered "a declaration of war on Burkina Faso and Mali," the two countries stated in a joint statement.

The governments of Niger's two neighbours commented after West African leaders threatened to use "force" to restore Bazoum and imposed financial sanctions on the coup plotters, AFP reported.

"Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war on Burkina Faso and Mali," the two countries warned. They said that the "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilize the entire region".

The two countries also said they "refuse to apply" "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger".

Guard chief General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself the leader of Niger, but the move has been rejected internationally, and the West African bloc ECOWAS gave him seven days to step down from power.

Niger is the third Sahel country in less than three years, after Mali and Burkina Faso, to be rocked by a military coup. In a separate statement, Guinea, whose government also resulted from a coup, expressed its "disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention".

It was stated that it was "decided not to apply these sanctions, which we consider illegitimate and inhumane," and called on ECOWAS to "reconsider its position".