Russia has issued a statement warning the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against resorting to military intervention in Niger Republic.
Bellnews reports that this follows moves by the regional bloc to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Recall that during a meeting of ECOWAS leaders in Abuja last Thursday, a decision was made to deploy a “standby force” to reinstate constitutional democracy in Niger.
ECOWAS Chairperson and Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, said no possibilities were off the table and hinted at using force as a last-ditch resort.
In response, the Russian foreign ministry issued a statement on Friday. The ministry expressed concern that military intervention within Niger could inadvertently escalate the prevailing crisis, potentially sparking a prolonged and arduous conflict.
Additionally, the ministry said the invasion of this West African nation might consequently trigger destabilisation across the entire Sahara-Sahel region.
The ministry’s statement read, “We harbor the belief that a military-centric resolution to the Niger crisis holds the potential to extend hostilities within the nation and to drastically destabilize the broader Sahara-Sahel region.”