APA – Algiers (Algeria) Niger’s neighbour to the north has reiterated its condemnation of the coup which ousted Mohamed Bazoum but warned against the ‘costly folly’ of foreign military intervention by the West African regional bloc to reinstate him.
Algeria while restating its commitment to a return to constitutional order in Niger urged caution and restraint in the face of plans for a foreign military intervention.
The Algerian Foreign Affairs ministry on Tuesday said an invasion and sanctions ”are unfortunately seen as feasible and usable when in fact they are merely factors in complicating and aggravating the current crisis”.
The Algerian diplomatic position favours a return to constitutional order in Niger and respect for the rule of law but argued that this should be achieved without resorting to the use of force.
In this spirit, Algiers reaffirms its support for Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate president of Niger, adding that “the return to constitutional order must imperatively be achieved by peaceful means that will avoid further insecurity and instability for brotherly Niger and the whole region, and further adversity and
hardship for our peoples.”
Algeria “strongly” condemned the coup on the day it was carried out.
On Sunday, member countries of the Economic Community of West African States, meeting in Abuja, issued a one-week ultimatum to the military junta in Niamey for a return to constitutional order and the reinstatement of President Bazoum.
ECOWAS warned that it would not rule out the use of force against the junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani.
HA/fss/abj/APA