The Niger Republic coup leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani has proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule, as pressure piles on the junta to restore constitutional order.
Niger Republic ?? Coup Leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, proposes 3-year transition back to civilian rule. pic.twitter.com/24z0Bgu93j
— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) August 19, 2023
Tchiani made the proposal after receiving delegates from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in the West African country.
Former Nigeria’s Military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, who led the ECOWAS delegates, said they were allowed to see the ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.
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Abubakar said the delegation, which has the company of Sultan of Sokoto and ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, met with Prime Minister Ali Zeine who received them at the airport and led them to the presidential palace.
They met with Tchiani, and his team for about 90 minutes and later President Mohamed Bazoum.
“We met him and heard his side of the story. He told us what was done to him and the challenges he is facing,” he told journalists.
“We will communicate this to ECOWAS leaders. Doors for talks are now open for a lasting solution.”
Without giving details, the former Head of State said Bazoum told the delegation about the challenges he has faced since he was detained on July 26, when the coup happened.
The meeting, which is the first successful one between the ECOWAS delegates and the junta since the coup took place, offers hope of a potential end to the crisis through dialogue.
Following a meeting with the Intervention Team of Nigerian Islamic leaders, Tchiani had last week, consented to engage in diplomatic discussions with the ECOWAS.
However, communication between the junta and the ECOWAS was not possible until Sunday.
The regional bloc said on Friday, after a meeting in Accra Ghana, that its defense chiefs have agreed on an undisclosed date to send troops to Niger Republic if dialogue with the military junta fails to restore the democratic government President Bazoum.
The statement prompted Mali and Burkina Faso to send warplanes to Niger in support of the junta’s military preparation to defend its territory. Also, thousands of people showed up outside the country’s main stadium in Niamey on Saturday to register as volunteer fighters or to help with other needs in case the junta in Niger requires support against a possible military intervention by ECOWAS.
While the ECOWAS delegation’s meeting with the junta offers hope, there is still doubt that the bloc will reach its objective to reinstate Bazoum, given the latest proposal of Tchiani.