Burkina Faso to send troops to Niger to prop up junta in event of aggression

The government of Burkina Faso has green-lighted plans to send military troops to Niger to back the junta in power in case of foreign aggression as possible military intervention of regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) looms.
A Cabinet statement late Wednesday August 30, Anadolu news agency reports, said the government was allowed to deploy a military contingent to Niger “in line with our country’s strategic commitments.”
“Without warmongering, it must be noted that this commitment is made to prevent and in the best interest of our fight against terrorism, a deep aspiration of the Burkinabe people”, said Defense minister Col. Maj. Kassoum Coulibaly. “What affects Niger’s security fundamentally affects the security of Burkina Faso”, he explained furthermore.
The move came after the junta in power in Niger since July 26 after toppling leader Mohamed Bazoum, last week authorized troops from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso to intercede on their side “in the event of aggression”, following threats of military intervention by ECOWAS.