A West African Bloc ECOWAS representative has labeled the coup leaders’ proposal for a three-year transition back to democracy in Niger as “unacceptable.”
Over the weekend, General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger, who assumed control following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum by army officers on July 26, stated that the transition of power would not exceed a three-year period.
He made these remarks subsequent to a visit by a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niger, which represented a last diplomatic effort before determining whether to resort to military measures against the newly established leadership in Niger.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Politics and Security, said in an interview aired on Monday that, “The proposed three-year transition is not acceptable.”
“We want constitutional order to be restored as soon as possible.”
During his televised speech on Saturday, Tiani accused ECOWAS of planning a potential intervention in Niger by establishing an occupying force in partnership with a foreign military, though he did not specify the country involved.
“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 leaders assert the need for immediate action, as Niger becomes the fourth West African country to experience a coup since 2020, joining Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.
The alliance has decided to activate a “standby force” as a final option to reinstate democracy in Niger, expressing readiness to take action while still actively pursuing diplomatic efforts.
But it has given no date or details about any intervention.
The coup has intensified global concerns regarding instability in the Sahel region, which is grappling with escalating militant uprisings associated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.