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Niger signs military pact with Burkina Faso, Mali
The military regime in Niger Republic, has signed a military pact, forming an military alliance with Burkina Faso and Mali.
The military regime had usurped power in a coup on July 26, in which the regime ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
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Burkina Faso and Mali have been under military regimes since both government usurped power through coups.
The foreign ministers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, had in a joint declaration after signing the military pact in Niamey, Niger Republic, affirmed agreement to take joint action against terrorist groups active in their countries and secure their borders.
Accordingly, Mali and Burkina Faso agreed to provide military support to Niger in the event of external military aggression by the ECOWAS, A.U or any other foreign forces, against the putschists in Niger.
Burkina Faso and Mali had earlier been tied in similar military pact.
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The agreement was made in preparation for showdown with ECOWAS forces which had been mandated by leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deploy a standby force to restore democratic rule in Niger.
Burkina Faso and Mali had earlier warned that any attack on Niger Republic would be taken as declaration of war against the neighbouring countries.
Apparently, both Burkina Faso and Mali have deployed forces, including fighter jets, to Niger Republic to reinforce the Niger military.
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The head of the Niger military, General Abdourahamane Omar Tchiani, has also vowed that the military regime would defend the sovereignty of Niger Republic. The new government has planned a three-year transition to civil rule. This was however, rejected by ECOWAS leaders, who declared the plan as unacceptable, insisting on immediate exit of the military and reinstatement of ousted President Bazoum.
Bazoum has been under house arrest at the Presidential Villa since the coup that ousted him from power.