Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), made statements on the political crisis in Niger and the role played by ECOWAS in resolving the crisis on a local television in Ghana.
Abdel-Fatau Musah reported that the military administration led by General Abdurrahmane (Omar) Tchiani, Commander of the Presidential Guard Regiment in Niger, has accepted dialogue with ECOWAS.
Noting that ECOWAS sent a delegation to Niger’s capital Niamey to meet with the coup leaders for a possible solution to the political crisis, Musah said, “Finally (the military administration) told us that they would accept our mission today, and we accepted their offer, that is, a mission to the country today. It will come, that’s for sure.” said.
Musah stated that the delegation sent by ECOWAS will ensure that all negotiations result in the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.
Stating that if they do not succeed through dialogue, the military option will be the last option, Musah said. “The thing is, if we realize that the talks are getting nowhere, I can assure you that we will not engage in an endless dialogue or dialogue of the deaf.” he said.
ECOWAS sets date for military intervention
At the meeting of the chiefs of staff of the ECOWAS countries in Accra, the capital of Ghana, it was announced that the date of the military intervention in Niger was clear.
ECOWAS declared that the soldiers were ready to intervene as soon as the order came, but did not give information on when this possible operation would begin.
After this decision, Niger state television announced that Mali and Burkina Faso had sent warplanes to Niger.
Burkina Faso and Mali, where military administrations are in office, also stated in a joint statement that they were on the side of Niger against the military operation that ECOWAS was planning to start to change the course of the coup in Niger.
The statement warned that any military intervention against Niger was to wage war against Burkina Faso and Mali.
coup in Niger
In Niger, President Mohammed Bazum was detained by elements of the Presidential Guard Regiment on July 26, and that evening the military announced that he had seized power.
General Abdurrahmane Tchiani, Commander of the Presidential Guard Regiment, became the head of the transitional government called CNSP on July 28.
The CNSP appointed Lamine Zeine as prime minister on 7 August, and announced the 21-member cabinet on 10 August, consisting of soldiers and civilians.