The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is said to have rejected a three-year power transfer plan submitted by the Niger Republic’s military junta.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, stated this in an interview with BBC on Sunday evening.
Niger Republic’s self-declared president of state, Abdourahmane Tiani, stated in a late-night address on Saturday that the country will revert to civilian control within three years.
The coup commander provided no details of the plan, merely stating that the transition principles would be defined within 30 days during a dialogue convened 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,” said TChiani, who spoke after meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former head of state.
Musah responded to Tiani’s idea by saying that ECOWAS will no longer support extended transition periods in the region.
“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,” 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 said, adding that the “military aspect is very much on.”
The junta chief has stated that Niger does not seek a conflict but will defend itself against any foreign interference if forced to.
