Mali and Burkina Faso will send a joint delegation to Niamey, the capital of the Niger Republic, on Monday in solidarity amidst a coup crisis, the Malian army said.

“Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey to show the solidarity of the two countries with the brotherly people of Niger,” the army tweeted.

The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali, established after the military took power by force in 2020 and 2022 in the two countries, also declared their support for the Nigerien soldiers who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

The two countries also warned that any military intervention in Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them and would lead to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ECOWAS, a regional political and economic union of 15 countries located in West Africa, has threatened to restore order in Niger by force.

The West African leaders slammed sanctions on the coup plotters, giving them one week to give up power or face possible military intervention.

This significant move, which includes air and land border closure, is seen as a crucial reaction to the recent ascendancy of the junta, which has stirred significant unrest in the country and poses a threat to political stability within the region.

(Xinhua/NAN)