Coup: Algeria, Egypt Seeks Dialogue To Settle Crisis In Niger

Algeria and Egypt have spoken out against military action in the Niger Republic, arguing that dialogue is still the best way to resolve the country’s present political crisis.

Recall that, after the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, West African leaders threatened to launch a military invasion of the Sahel nation if the coup leaders, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, failed to reestablish democracy and the ousted leader to his position.

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The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and others have all expressed opposition to the military option.

They argued that any military action in Niger could cause issues for Nigeria, as it is the country’s nearest neighbour, while also supporting diplomacy as a means of resolving the dispute there.

This is despite yesterday’s indications that over 7,000 migrants may be stuck in Niger as a result of border closures.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the president of Algeria, has sent Ahmed Attaf, the foreign minister, to Ghana, Nigeria, and the Benin Republic in an effort to resolve the issue.

The foreign minister, who began the trip yesterday, will conduct talks with his ECOWAS country counterparts and argue that diplomacy is preferable to military action.

Tebboune stated that a military solution would be “a direct threat” to his North African nation, and Algeria, which borders Niger on land for 1,000 kilometres (600 miles), had previously warned against it.

Algeria also borders Mali and Libya, both of which are embroiled in protracted wars.

Niger, after Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, is the fourth country in West Africa to experience a coup since 2020.

The juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have said that any military intervention in their neighbour would be considered a “declaration of war” against their countries.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian administration, for its part, emphasised the need for diplomacy and argued that using military force to resolve the situation in Niger would be detrimental to both the continent and the West African area.

The government stated that while it is crucial to quickly reestablish democratic governance in the Niger Republic, it is also wise to avoid drawing the nation into a conflict that could have a negative impact on its neighbours.