The Military junta in Niger Republic has formed a military alliance with its neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Mali.

This comes after the junta overthrew President Mohammed Bazoum in a military coup on July 26.

The alliance was announced in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the three countries in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

Under the agreement, Mali and Burkina Faso will provide military assistance to Niger if there is any military action against the junta.

Additionally, the three countries will collaborate to combat terrorist groups operating within their borders and protect their borders.

Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launched a standby force and threatened military action if the junta didn’t reinstall the democratically elected Bazoum and restore constitutional order following the July coup in Niger. ECOWAS and the Nigerien junta held talks the preceding weekend.

ECOWAS has repeatedly said it would not hesitate to go the military action route if negotiations and dialogue didn’t yield any positive result.

Last week, the junta announced a three-year transition period to civilian rule. This was however rejected by ECOWAS who wanted a swift return to democracy in the poor West African nation.