Alexei Zaitsev, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated during a briefing that Russia is in favor of the African community's mediation efforts to resolve the crisis in Niger. He emphasized that a diplomatic solution should be pursued to address the situation.
"We endorse the mediation initiatives undertaken by the African community to assist Niger in navigating the current crisis," he said. "We anticipate that through ongoing diplomatic endeavors by ECOWAS, mutually agreeable resolutions can be reached for the situation in Niger," the diplomat further elaborated.
He remarked that the Russian Federation is closely observing the developments in Niger. "We regard it as of utmost importance to prevent any further escalation of tensions within Niger," Zaitsev emphasized. "We view the swift restoration of law and order and the facilitation of an inclusive national dialogue as the sole means to resolve the conflict."
Zaitsev also mentioned that Moscow is in touch with Russian nationals in Niger and continues to advise against traveling to the country.
"With a considerable number of fellow countrymen residing in Niger, ongoing communication is being upheld, and necessary precautions are being devised to ensure their safety. We continue to advise Russian citizens to avoid visiting the Republic of Niger until the situation is completely stabilized," the diplomat stated.
Zaitsev also highlighted that, according to the Russian embassy in Mali, which holds jurisdiction over Niger, "there have been no reported incidents involving Russian citizens."
ECOWAS troops
He mentioned that the involvement of ECOWAS troops in the situation in Niger is unlikely to foster the normalization of the country's situation and that of the broader region.
"We operate under the assumption that the intervention of troops from the Economic Community of West African States in a sovereign nation is improbable to facilitate the attainment of enduring peace in Niger and the stabilization of the broader sub-regional situation," the diplomat remarked.
"In this context, it's noteworthy that a number of states neighboring Niger, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Algeria, have expressed opposition to such a scenario," he added. Zaitsev further noted that the Russian Federation anticipates "a resolution to be reached through political and diplomatic means."
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS