Brussels. August 6. INTERFAX - A military operation against Niger will pose an immediate threat to Algeria's security, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboun said.
"We categorically do not accept any military intervention," Western media quoted him as saying in a television interview the day before.
The President explained that a military action against Niger would be "a direct threat to Algeria." He stressed that it is impossible to resolve the situation with Niger without Algeria's participation.
According to him, in case of further destabilization of the situation, the population of Algeria, a country that borders Niger for almost 1 thousand km, will be the first to be affected.
"And what is the situation now in the countries that have experienced military intervention?" - he said, pointing to Libya and Syria.
The ultimatum of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) expires on Sunday on the return of power in Niger to deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. "If the demand is not fulfilled within a week, take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in Niger," the communique stressed following the extraordinary summit of the leaders of the ECOWAS countries on July 30.
Such measures may include the use of force: ECOWAS stated that they could resort to military intervention in the situation in Niger, but only as a last resort. However, ECOWAS did not disclose any details of a possible military intervention. Also, this association did not inform about the timing of its start.
On July 26, it became known that some of the employees of the Presidential Guard of Niger opposed President Bazum and removed him from power. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Niger said that the military command supported the fighters of the Presidential Guard. The new leader of the country was Army General Abdurakhman Tchiani.
Many countries of the world, in particular, the United States, members of the EU, the African Union and ECOWAS condemned the military coup and demanded the restoration of Bazum's power.
