The American Embassy has pulled out its non-essential staff from Niger as tensions escalate, Reuters reports.
Following the military coup, the West and Niger have not reestablished diplomatic relations. America has maintained basic embassy services, and is not in imminent danger from coup forces.
The tension between ECOWAS (West African Organization) and the military juntas is on the verge of exploding into war. The more populous coastal states, especially Nigeria, have been coordinating plans against Niger. Other juntas and allied states, such as Algeria, have promised troops to defeat them.
Military Chiefs from ECOWAS are meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Nigeria's capital Abuja. pic.twitter.com/koF6FpNmoc
— Murtala (@Murtalaibin) August 2, 2023
Mali & Burkina Faso have issued a joint statement saying they will go to war if Ecowas (Nigeria) will use force to undo the coup in Niger.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 1, 2023
Guinea issued a nearly identical statement.
U.S., France & Nigeria on one side vs Russia & the rest on the other pic.twitter.com/srP9YVjnqa
The current dispute between various governments of West Africa has opened up more territory to radical Islamic infiltration and separatists. Should ECOWAS elect to use force, it could result in a huge military conflict in Africa, the scale of which has not been seen in decades.
