The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected Niger Republic’s military junta’s three-year power transition plan.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, spoke on Sunday in an interview with the BBC.
In a late-night statement on Saturday, Niger Republic’s self-declared president of state, Abdourahmane Tiani, stated 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. The 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 over in the shortest possible time,” he said.
“The earlier they give power back to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility which 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.
