“No walk in the park” for ECOWAS
Nigerian ruler warns alliance against attack
08/20/2023, 00:12
The West African confederation of states ECOWAS is threatening Niger with a military intervention – a date has apparently already been set. However, the new Nigerien ruler Tiani wants to draft a new constitution and possibly stay in office for years. He warns ECOWAS of an attack.
The new ruler in Niger, Abdourahamane Tiani, wants to create an interim government that should stay in office “for no longer than three years”. Prior to that, Tiani announced on state television that he would hold a “comprehensive national dialogue” within 30 days, consulting all Nigeriens. Based on this, they want to create a new constitution, according to Tiani.
The leader of the military junta stressed that the decisions would be made “without outside interference”. He announced a 30-day “national dialogue” to work out “concrete proposals” that should lay the foundation for “a new constitutional life”.
A few hours earlier, Tiani had met for the first time with a delegation from the West African community of states ECOWAS in the Nigerian capital Niamey. The delegation then also paid a visit to President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been arrested by the putschists.
Military alliances are formed
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 also 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. Tiani said, “If there’s an attack on us, it won’t be as easy as some people seem to think.”
At the same time, ECOWAS emphasized that the search for a peaceful solution should continue to have priority. A military operation will only be necessary if this fails. After the coup in Niger on July 26, the confederation of states is demanding that President Bazoum, who has been ousted and is under house arrest, reinstated. In his speech, Tiani denounced the “illegal” and “inhumane” sanctions imposed by ECOWAS after the coup.
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.