A formal declaration of war on May 9 could potentially bolster public support for the invasion.
South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa said that any attempt to arrest Russian president Vladimir Putin when he visits the country next month would be a declaration of war with Russia.
But what was relatively straightforward in the Gambia seven years ago will be much more complicated in Niger, with military leaders in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso backing Tchiani and declaring that any intervention against Niamey will be considered a declaration of war against their nations.