Burkina Faso: Legislative Assembly approves sending military troops to Niger
The proposal for legislation authorizing a military intervention in Niger was reviewed on Tuesday, September 19th, by the transitional Legislative Assembly of Burkina Faso.
This new law now provides a legal framework for the deployment of a military contingent from Burkina Faso to Niger.
Its mission is to provide military assistance to the Republic of Niger in the event of aggression or destabilization by an external army and to combat terrorism, as explained by the Minister of Defense, Colonel-Major Kassoum Coulibaly, who was present during the vote on Tuesday.
According to the minister, this law will serve as a strategic base within Niger, allowing Burkina Faso to combat terrorists who often seek refuge in this neighboring country.
The vote by the transitional Legislative Assembly concludes the process initiated by the ruling juntas in the Sahel region.
It enables the Burkinabe executive branch to deploy a military contingent to Niger, initially for a period of three months, with the possibility of renewal. This move aims to strengthen the coalition with Niger and Mali.
Burkina Faso has made its position clear, as has Mali, which involves taking up arms alongside Niger in the event of external aggression, particularly from ECOWAS.
General Tiani, on his part, has welcomed this support and promptly issued a decree at the end of August authorizing the intervention of Burkinabe and Malian forces in Niger to assist the Nigerien forces in case of an attack.
Maiga DAO
