(Algiers) Algeria, firmly opposed to any military intervention in Niger, on Wednesday, sent its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, on a tour of Nigeria, Benin and Ghana, in order to help find a way out of the crisis, said announcing the Algerian diplomacy.
Minister Ahmed Attaf, “appointed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, begins today (Wednesday) working visits to Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana”, announced the ministry, on his account X (ex-Twitter).
He will conduct “consultations on the crisis in Niger and on the means to deal with it” with his counterparts from these countries “which belong to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)”, said said the ministry.
The objective is to contribute “to a political solution which will spare this country and the region as a whole the repercussions of a possible escalation of the situation”.
Algerian diplomacy has a long history of mediation or attempts to settle numerous international conflicts.
President Tebboune indicated on August 6 that he “categorically refused any military intervention” from outside Niger which, according to him, represents “a direct threat to Algeria”.
There “will be no solution without us. We are the first concerned,” he added, during an interview broadcast by national television.
Algeria shares almost 1000 km of border with Niger.
“In what situations are the countries that have experienced a military intervention today? “, wondered the Algerian head of state, before adding:” look at where is Libya, Syria “.
The largest nation in Africa, Algeria borders two countries in the throes of deep crises: Mali and Libya, and it refuses the opening of a third front on its borders.
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) decided “to suspend the participation of Niger in all the activities of the AU and its organs and institutions until the effective restoration of order constitutional status in the country,” according to a statement released on Tuesday.
After the overthrow on July 26 by soldiers of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, elected in 2021, ECOWAS announced on August 10 its intention to deploy a West African force “to restore constitutional order in Niger”.
“Two countries (Mali and Burkina Faso, editor’s note) are ready to enter the battle (alongside Niger, editor’s note)”, underlined Mr. Tebboune, estimating that in the event of a military operation, “the whole of the Sahel s ‘will ignite’.
In Mali and Burkina Faso, faced with jihadist violence like Niger, the putschist soldiers warned that they would stand in solidarity with their neighbor.
Niger’s new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tiani, assured Saturday that military intervention “will not be the walk in the park that some believe”.
