Claim: Algeria declares support for Niger Coup
Source: Viral claim
Verdict: FALSE
Researched by Gifty Tracy Aminu
Multiple social media users (here, here, here, here and here) and some online news platforms (here, here, here) have shared a viral claim suggesting the government of Algeria has declared support for the Coup d’état in Niger.
This follows the decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to impose trade and financial sanctions on Niger and further give the coup leaders up until August 7 to reinstate Niger’s democratically elected president or face the potential use of force.
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Already Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea – who all have military leaders and have been suspended from the regional bloc – have dismissed the efforts by ECOWAS and declared support for the Coup in Niger.
The claim
On the microblogging app, Twitter, the viral claim has been posted by some users together with a picture showing a military tank parade on a street, with the national flags of Algeria being flown in the background.
“Algeria will support Niger in case of external military aggression, according to the Algerian publication Intel Kirby.” The tweet said.
“They reported on the potential invasion of Niger under the leadership of ECOWAS, stating that Algeria will not remain idle while its neighbouring country faces an invasion. There were already unconfirmed reports that the Algerian army has started increasing security measures and raising its level of readiness on the border with Niger,” the claim shared by some verified Twitter handles also stated.
The viral claim has gathered more than 2 million views across multiple Twitter handles alone.
Fact-Check
The Algerian government has called for a “return to constitutional order in Niger” and respect for the requirements of the rule of law.
“The Algerian government once again expresses its support for Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate President of the Republic of Niger,” the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on 1st August.
This is contrary to the viral claim that Algeria has declared support for the Coup d’état in Niger.
“We have conducted a review of all news released by official Algerian sources after the coup in Niger, and we haven’t found any official statements indicating any military preparation or potential military intervention by Algerian forces in Niger,” a senior fact-checker with Fatabyyano, Loay Khreis told FactSpace West Africa when contacted about the viral claim.
However, the Algerian government has admonished that constitutional order in Niger should be achieved through peaceful means that can avoid escalating insecurity and instability in Niger and the entire region.
“Algeria calls for prudence and restraint in the face of aspirations of foreign military intervention, which unfortunately appear as non-excluded options and can only complicate and exacerbate the current crisis,” the Algerian government further said. (Arabic version here) (French version here).
Meanwhile, FactSpace West Africa will continue to collaborate with IFCN-verified fact-checking organization, Fatabyyano and tackle the spread of mis/disinformation on this subject.
Verdict
Therefore, the claim that Algeria declared support for Niger in case of external military aggression is FALSE.
