General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military ruler of Niger, has put forward a proposal for a transition back to democracy within a span of three years. Tchiani, along with his associates, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and took control through a coup on July 26th.
In a televised address on Saturday evening, General Tchiani conveyed that neither the junta nor the people of Niger desire conflict and both remain open to engaging in dialogue. He underlined that the framework for the transition will be determined in the coming 30 days as part of a national dialogue facilitated by the junta. He stressed that the transition itself should not extend beyond three years.
During this dialogue, the nation’s priorities will be defined, along with the call for fundamental values that will guide the process of rebuilding the West African country, Tchiani elaborated.
The response to the coup from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken the form of imposing sanctions and issuing an ultimatum to the junta, urging them to step down or potentially face military intervention from a regional standby force.
A delegation of ECOWAS leaders met with General Tchiani in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Saturday and also visited President Bazoum.
General Tchiani reiterated in his televised address that the junta’s intent is not to seize power but to facilitate a transition. He expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, emphasizing the need to align with the aspirations of Niger’s determined and resilient populace.
However, Tchiani cautioned that the junta would respond with force if met with aggression. He asserted, “Should anyone attempt an attack against us, it will not unfold as easily as some might assume.”
The junta had previously asserted that they had compiled evidence to charge President Bazoum with “high treason.”
Niger occupies a central position within Africa’s Sahel region, which has witnessed a series of power transitions in recent years, including instances in Mali and Burkina Faso.