The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected the three-year power transition plan proposed by the military junta in Niger. The junta’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, had announced his intention to relinquish power within three years and warned against foreign intervention.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, stated in an interview with the BBC that the proposal for a prolonged transition was not acceptable. He emphasized that ECOWAS expects a swift transfer of power back to civilians and stressed that the “military aspect is very much on.”
A delegation from ECOWAS had arrived in Niger for diplomatic discussions before deciding on the potential military intervention against the junta. However, Musah described the junta’s proposal as a smokescreen for dialogue and diplomacy and urged them to hand over power as soon as possible.
Pro-junta demonstrators took to the streets of Niamey to express their support for the military takeover and oppose potential military intervention by ECOWAS. Despite the junta’s official ban on protests, those in favor of the coup have been allowed to demonstrate. The demonstrators called for an end to military intervention and sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in response to the coup.
The situation in Niger continues to be a source of tension between the military junta and regional organizations like ECOWAS, highlighting the complexities of political transitions and stability in the region.