The three-year power transition plan put forth by the military junta of the Niger Republic has been turned down by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This decision was revealed by Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, during an interview with the BBC on Sunday.
Govima reports that, in a late-night address on Saturday, Abdourahmane Tiani, the Niger Republic’s self-declared head of state, said the country will return to civilian rule within three years.
The coup leader gave no details of the plan, noting that only the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a dialogue to be hosted by the junta.
“Our ambition is not to confiscate power. Transition period will not exceed three years; meanwhile, political parties are urged to submit their vision for the transition within 30 days,” Tiani had said.
The junta leader spoke after meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former head of state.
Reacting to Tiani’s proposal, Musah said ECOWAS would no longer accept prolonged transition periods in the region.
“Ecowas is not accepting any prolonged transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand it over in the shortest possible time,” he said.
“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.”
Musah also added that the “military aspect is very much on”.
The junta head earlier said Niger did not want a war but would defend itself against any foreign intervention if compelled to.
