Burkina Faso poised for closer cooperation with Niger after junta takes power in Niamey

Burkina Faso Thursday July 27 expressed keenness for closer cooperation with neighboring Niger, a day after the army deposed elected leader Mohamed Bazoum.
“Niger is a sister country, and the people of Niger are brothers of the people of Burkina Faso. In this respect, it is obvious that any situation that may concern Niger affects Burkina Faso in one way or another”, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso’s minister of Communication and Spokesperson of the Government.
“We are paying close attention to the latest events in Niger with the hope that this country can truly return to serenity”, the State official added.
“Our hope is that together we can truly embark on a dynamic of closer partnerships and cooperation, and above all that together we can take up this historic struggle against armed terrorists groups and restore the dignity of our peoples”, emphasized Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.
The remarks came a day after a group of military officers gathered under the so-called Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie [National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland] (CNSP) announced the removal of President Bazoum who came to power in 2021, after disputed elections.
The junta cited the degrading security situation in the country as reason for their move.
Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, all of them in the Sahel region, have been grappling with insecurity due terrorism activities. Burkina Faso and Mali turned their backs to their former colonial power France for support in the fighting against terrorism. Ouagadougou and Bamako instead turned to Russia and Turkey for a new partnership. Niger under Bazoum emerged as the new strategic partner for western countries in the Sahel, as they pulled out from Mali and Burkina Faso.