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 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 Niger to be ready to hand over in the shortest possible time.to be prepared to turn over control as soon as feasible.
“ECOWAS is not accepting any prolonged transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand over in the shortest possible time.
“Military aspect is very much on. The earlier they give power back to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility that is defending the territorial integrity of Niger, the better for them,” Musa warned.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the Niger junta, had said in a televised broadcast on Saturday night that the army would hand over power to the civilian government within the next three years.
General Tchiani, had also noted that his country did not want war, but would be ready to defend itself if necessary.
“Neither the army nor the people of Niger want war, but we will resist any manifestation of it,” Tchiani had said.
According to him, ECOWAS member states do not realise that Niger has become the key to containing the region from destabilisation against the backdrop of increased terrorist activity.
He said the sanctions imposed against his country were aimed at putting pressure on the rebels, and not at finding a solution to the current situation.
He also explained that rebels did not seek to seize power in the country but rather seek to come to a solution that would meet the interests of the people.
Earlier Saturday, former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), had led a delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niger in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful solution with the Niger junta.
The delegation met with Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine who received them at the airport and led them to the presidential palace.
They later met with the ousted Niger’s president Mohamed Bazoum, after meeting General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the junta.
It was the first peace talk led by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar that ECOWAS activated its standby force.
