NIGER JUNTA PROPOSES A THREE-YEAR TRANSITION OF POWER AFTER ECOWAS AGREES ON MILITARY “D-DAY”

Sun 20 August 2023:

After meeting with a team of West African leaders, Niger’s coup leader advocated a three-year handover of power and warned that any attack on the country would “not be a walk in the park” for those involved.

General Abdourahmane Tchiani said on national television late Saturday that the principles for the transition would be defined within 30 days at a dialogue sponsored by the ruling military council.

In his 12-minute speech, Tchiani claimed ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack Niger by setting up an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army” and denounced what he called “illegal” and “inhuman” sanctions imposed by the regional bloc.

Niger Republic 🇳🇪 Coup Leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, proposes 3-year transition back to civilian rule. pic.twitter.com/24z0Bgu93j

— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) August 19, 2023

“I reaffirm here that our ambition is not to confiscate power. I also reaffirm our readiness to engage in any dialogue, as long as it takes into account the orientations desired by the proud and resilient people of Niger,” he added.

“Neither the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland nor the people of Niger want war, and remain open to dialogue,” he said after his first meeting with delegates from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the Nigerien capital, Niamey.

“But let us be clear: If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walk in the park some people seem to think,” he said.

ECOWAS has imposed severe sanctions on Niger following the July 26 coup and has ordered the deployment of a “standby force” to restore constitutional rule in the country. The bloc said on Friday that an undisclosed “D-Day” had been agreed for possible military intervention and that 11 of its 15 member states had agreed to commit troops to the operation.

ECOWAS leaders meets Bazoum

While Niger’s coup leaders have rebuffed previous missions, Saturday’s delegation, headed by former Nigerian head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was met at the airport by the military-appointed prime minister, according to the Reuters news agency.

After meeting Tchiani, the bloc also met separately with toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held under house arrest in Niamey since the military takeover.

“We met Bazoum, we heard from him what was done to him. He told us about the problems he’s facing. We’ll take it to the leaders who sent us here,” said Abubakar. “Without doubt, the meeting has opened discussions to lead to a way to resolve this crisis.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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