Burkina Faso and Mali juntas offer assistance in Niger trip

 During a solidarity visit to Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, delegations from Mali and Burkina Faso assured Niger's military coup leaders of their full support.

It comes as the regional body ECOWAS prepares to have a conference on Thursday to consider the next steps against Niger's junta.

Niger's military leaders rejected an ECOWAS deadline to reinstall President Mohamed Bazoum by Sunday. He is still being held prisoner.

The junta has remained obstinate in the face of Ecowas sanctions and threats, including a military intervention that the bloc has described as a "last resort."

Mali's military government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, called the Ecowas sanctions against Niger "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane" on Monday.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, he claimed, have been grappling with the "negative socioeconomic, security, political, and humanitarian consequences of Nato's dangerous adventure in Libya for more than a decade."

The Mali ambassador also urged Nigerians to be "resilient and stoic" during these "difficult times," assuring them of victory and constant support.

Last week, military chiefs in Mali and Burkina Faso warned against an Ecowas military action in Niger, calling it a "declaration of war."