Russia has no plans to use its military in Niger, a top diplomat said on August 2, dismissing a popular view on social media that Russia would militarily side with coup plotters in the country.
“Russia opposes a military solution to the conflict, and has no plans to use its armed forces in Niger,” Russian Ambassador to Nigeria Alexei Shebarshin said.
There have been rumors that Russia will support Niger militarily if the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) carries out its threat to use force to restore the democratically elected government in that West African country.
This rumor was further reinforced when the coup faction announced that they were abandoning Western support to gain Russian support.
Additionally, many Nigeriens who marched in support of the coup burned French flags and raised Russian flags, giving the impression that Russia was behind the coup.
In his statement, Mr. Shebarshin advised Niger to resolve its issues independently and in accordance with the constitution, without using force or threatening to use force.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also affirmed that Russia believes the coup was an unconstitutional act and that constitutional order must be restored in Niger.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat also agreed on August 1 that “there is no acceptable military solution” to the crisis in Niger.
People wave Niger and Russian flags during a rally in support of Niger's military leaders in Niamey on July 30, 2023. Photo: Al Jazeera/AFP
On July 26, Niger's presidential security force suddenly arrested President Mohamed Bazoum and announced his impeachment shortly afterwards, citing the deteriorating security situation and increasingly poor socio-economic management in the country.
“All domestic organisations will be suspended, borders closed and a curfew has been imposed until further notice,” the force said in a statement.
As of August 1, Niger's land and air borders with five neighboring countries, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Chad, have reopened.
On August 30, ECOWAS issued an ultimatum demanding that the coup forces reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
“In the event that the authorities’ demands are not met within a week, we will take all necessary measures, including the use of force, to restore constitutional order in Niger,” ECOWAS said in a statement after a summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 30.
ECOWAS has also imposed a blockade on Niger, freezing its assets and imposing other sanctions on the coup plotters. ECOWAS's move has received support from the European Union and the United Nations .
Nguyen Tuyet (According to Premium Times, TRT World)
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