THE crisis in Niger deepened today as some of the country’s neighbours lined up in support of the military group that staged a coup last Wednesday.

A joint statement from the military-controlled governments of Burkina Faso and Mali warned that “any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.”

The statement read by Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali’s state minister for territorial administration and decentralisation, said the “disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger” would end up destabilising the whole region.

It added that both countries would “refuse to apply” the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger.”

This followed the announcement on Sunday by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) that it would use force if the coup leaders don’t reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum within one week.

Ecowas has also suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing Nigerien assets held in regional central banks. 

Mali and Burkina Faso have each undergone two coups since 2020, as soldiers overthrew governments claiming they could do a better job fighting increasing jihadist violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. 

Ecowas has sanctioned both countries and suspended them from the bloc, but never threatened the use of force.

Guinea, another country under military rule since 2021, issued a statement in support of Niger’s military rulers on Sunday and urged Ecowas to “come to its senses.”

“The sanctions measures advocated by Ecowas, including military intervention, are an option that would not be a solution to the current problem, but would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could extend beyond Niger’s borders,” said Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, general of the brigade, in a statement from the ruling party. 

He said that Guinea would not apply the sanctions.

The coup has raised security fears for the Sahel region as well as access to energy sources in Europe.

Niger is the one of the world’s biggest producers of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy.

On Sunday the new military regime, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, announced the suspension of the export of uranium and gold to France, the former colonial power.

Mali and Burkina Faso also turned against France, which had troops in both countries, following their military takeovers, and strengthened military ties to Russia. Pro-coup crowds in Niger have chanted the name of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and waved Russian flags.

France relies heavily on uranium from Niger for around a third of its domestic electricity, which is predominantly generated by nuclear power.

Only around 18 per cent of Nigeriens have access to electricity in one of the poorest nations on Earth.