The new ruler in Niger has announced a transition phase that will not last longer than three years. Tiani also received a delegation from the West African group of states ECOWAS, which made another attempt at mediation.
Abdourahamane Tiani, the self-declared new ruler in Niger, wants to create an interim government that should stay in office “no longer than three years”. “Our goal is not to seize power,” the general said on state television on Saturday night. He announced a 30-day “national dialogue” to develop “concrete proposals”. Based on this, they want to create a new constitution, according to Tiani.
However, the leader of the military junta emphasized that the decisions would be made “without outside interference”. “If we are attacked, it won’t be as easy as some people seem to think,” he added. The country does not want war and remains open to dialogue, Tiani said. However, Niger will defend itself if the West African community of states ECOWAS wants to restore democracy by force.
ECOWAS undertakes again mediation attempt
A few hours earlier, Tiani had met with an ECOWAS delegation for the first time in the Nigerian capital Niamey. The delegation then also paid a visit to President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been arrested by the putschists. He is doing well, according to ECOWAS circles. However, the presidential palace, where Bazoum and his family have been held since the July 26 coup, is still without power.
Nothing was initially known about the outcome of the negotiations. The delegation, led by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, is said to seek diplomatic mediation with the military who have taken power.
15 West African states belong to ECOWAS, including Niger itself. So far, the West African community of states had emphasized that they wanted to do everything they could to find a diplomatic solution. Like the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations, ECOWAS is calling for the immediate release of Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since the coup.
ECOWAS ready for military intervention
The day before, ECOWAS had announced that the confederation of states was ready for a military intervention if the putschists did not restore constitutional order. A target date for an assignment has been set, but is not publicly announced. In response, the putschists said they had developed a defense strategy with “concrete measures” together with Mali and Burkina Faso.
Mali and Burkina Faso, like Niger, have been ruled by the military since coups in their countries. However, ECOWAS had emphasized that the search for a peaceful solution should continue to have priority. A military operation will only be necessary if this fails.
Niger, a Sahel country with around 26 million inhabitants and one of the poorest populations in the world, was one of the last democratic partners of the USA and European states in the Sahel zone on the southern edge of the Sahara before the coup.