00:02Following the military coup in Niger last week, the West African Regional Bloc ECOWAS put out a statement saying that
00:08if the elected president is not restored, we will take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
00:16Such measures may include the use of force.
00:19The military junta in Niger responded by saying,
00:22we want to, once more, remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland.
00:30On top of this, military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso,
00:34which remain suspended from the Bloc because of their own recent coups,
00:38have said that they will treat any ECOWAS military intervention in Niger as an act of war and will come to Niger's defence.
00:45A full-on interstate war could be pretty catastrophic in a region that's already struggling with jihadist insurgencies and the impact of climate change.
00:54Whether regional leaders actually will go to war or are just bluffing remains to be seen.
