By Usman Hussaini
The three-year power transfer plan put forth by the military government of the Niger Republic was rejected by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Abdel-Fatau Musa, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, revealed this yesterday in an interview with the BBC.
He claimed that the three-year transition plan put forth by General Tchiani was nothing more than a pretext for negotiations and diplomacy.
Musa issued a warning that the regional group would not consent to another protracted period of change in the area.
He urged the military leaders of the Niger to be prepared to turn over control as soon as feasible.
"ECOWAS does not consent to another protracted period of transition in the area. They simply need to prepare to turn over as soon as feasible. "Military aspect is very much on. The sooner they return authority to citizens and focus on their main duty of safeguarding Niger's territorial integrity, the better for them, said Musa.
The Niger junta's head, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, declared on television on Saturday night that the army will cede control to the civilian government within the next three years.
Additionally, General Tchiani had stated that while his nation did not desire war, it would be prepared to defend itself in such a case.
Tchiani had stated that although neither the army nor the people of Niger want war, they would oppose any manifestation of it.
He claims that the ECOWAS member states are unaware of how important Niger has become in preventing regional instability in the face of an uptick in terrorist activities.
He claimed that the sanctions imposed on his nation were intended to put pressure on the rebels rather than to resolve the current crisis.
Additionally, he had stated that the rebels were not interested in seizing control of the nation, but rather in finding a solution that would serve the needs of the populace.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former military head of state of Nigeria, led a mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niger earlier on Saturday in a last-ditch diplomatic push to find a peaceful solution with the Niger junta.
At the airport, Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine met the team and escorted them to the presidential palace.
Following their meeting with the leader of the junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, they later had a meeting with the deposed president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
The first peace conference presided over by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar was when ECOWAS's standby force was activated.
Pro-coup demonstrators caution ECOWAS against using force
On Sunday, protesters came to the streets in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to voice their support for the July 26 coup and to express their opposition to any international military intervention.
The pro-putschist protesters reportedly yelled anti-French and anti-ECOWAS slogans, with the ECOWAS reportedly planning a military intervention to restore ousted President Bazoum if ongoing talks with the coup leaders are unsuccessful.
In response to the economic and commercial sanctions placed on Niger by the ECOWAS, the protesters brandished signs reading, "Stop the military intervention" and "No to sanctions."
Musicians celebrating the new military rule played at the pro-coup demonstration, according to AFP journalists.
Pope urges calm in Niger
Pope Francis on Sunday called for a diplomatic resolution to the political crisis in Niger, which is another development.
Following his Angelus prayer, the pope addressed the faithful in St. Peter's Square, saying, "I am following with concern what is happening in Niger, and I join the bishops' call-in favor of peace in the country and stability in the Sahel. "I join with prayer the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible for the good of everyone."
Why we should prevent a war with Niger
Robinson Uwak, a former member of the House of Representatives, has urged President Bola Tinubu and other ECOWAS members to prevent war with the Niger Republic.
Robinson Uwak stated in a message on Sunday that it was essential to maintain the diplomatic channels already established with the junta headed by General Tchiani and to reach an understanding on deadlines for the return to democratic rule.
He complimented General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state and chairman of the national peace committee, for making himself accessible to interact with the military authorities in Niger and to investigate the possibility of negotiation despite being rejected during his initial visit.
Uwak claimed that Nigeria, which already has a number of security-related issues at home, cannot afford to have yet another foreign military battle take place so close to its borders.
"Let Mr. President suspend any talk of military action and sustain the dialogue option as this would yield long-term benefits for regional peace and stability within the ECOWAS sub-region," stated Uwak.
Uwak said, "The President should carefully consider the effects of any battle with our neighboring nation, including the potential for PTSD, the breakup of cross-border filial ties, and the damage and possibly permanent disabilities. By all means, let's avoid this conflict."
_1.jpg)
