Algeria proposes six-point initiative to resolve crisis in Niger

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
29 Aug 2023 20:06
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Algeria's Foreign Minister says his country is proposing an initiative to resolve the Niger crisis with a six-month transition period led by a civilian.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf speaking to the media prior to meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, DC, on August 9, 2023 (AFP)

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf revealed on Tuesday that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune presented a six-point initiative for a political solution to the crisis in Niger.

During a press conference, Attaf, who was on a West African tour in an effort to solve the crisis in neighboring Niger, indicated that Niger has entered a political, constitutional, and institutional crisis. He stressed that a political solution that could end the crisis must be prioritized away from the use of force.

The top Algerian diplomat said his country is proposing an initiative to resolve the Niger crisis with a six-month transition period led by a civilian.

Attaf indicated that Tebboune took the initiative to dispatch envoys to influential African countries with the aim of building regional and international momentum on the political option to resolve the crisis in Niger. He pointed out that "most of the countries we have talked to are against military intervention to end the crisis."

According to Attaf, the Algerian President's initiative consists of six points, which include strengthening the principle of the illegality of unconstitutional changes, setting a time period of six months to crystallize and achieve a political solution that guarantees a return to the constitutional and democratic system in Niger, and the development of political arrangements to end the crisis.

In addition, Tebboune's initiative also stipulates providing sufficient guarantees for all parties to ensure the sustainability of the political solution, establishing intensive contacts and consultations with all concerned parties and organizing an international conference on development in the Sahel region.

The Algerian Foreign Minister affirmed that Algeria demands a return to the constitutional order in Niger and the return of President Mohamed Bazoum to power.

Attaf noted that Algeria made contacts with officials in Niger on the first day of the military council's assumption of power in the country and demanded Bazoum's release and enabling him to exercise his duties.

Through its ambassador, Algeria made contact with several current and former officials in Niger, including the military council, and held discussions with the US Secretary of State, as well as Italy and Canada, Attaf said.

He made it clear that Algeria calls for the return of the constitutional order and respect for democratic institutions in Niger and confirmed that Mohamed Bazoum is the legitimate president of the country, warning that Niger is in a very sensitive and fateful stage.

The top Algerian diplomat indicated that Algiers will be formulating political arrangements during the six months period with the participation and approval of all parties in Niger without excluding any party.

He also affirmed that his country will provide guarantees to all parties to ensure the sustainability of the political solution and its acceptance by all actors involved in the crisis and in the course of its solution.

Attaf highlighted that there is a sectarian conflict looming in Niger, warning against turning Niger into a new hotbed of conflict that embraces terrorism and organized crime.

Last week, Algeria rejected France's request to use its airspace for a military attack on Niger. According to multiple media reports, including Algerian state radio, it was suggested that France was considering a strike against the new military leadership in Niamey if they did not release Bazoum, who has been detained since July 26.

Touching on the issue of normalizing ties with the Israeli occupation, Attaf said the Tunisian envoy categorically refuted any normalization step by the Tunisian authorities, revealing that a new law to criminalize normalization with "Israel" will be enacted in Tunisia.

In mid-August, the President of the Algerian National Construction Movement, Abdelkader Bengrina, stressed that Algeria should "keep a watchful eye" on Tunisia after several visits were made to the country by representatives of the Israeli occupation that came in line with normalization efforts.

Regarding his country's relationship with Morocco, the Foreign Minister made it clear that Algeria has no responsibility for freezing action at the level of the Arab Maghreb Union, admitting that it is difficult to talk today about restoring the work of the Union.

Algeria closed its airspace to all Moroccan flights in September 2021, the month after it cut off diplomatic ties with its neighbor, accusing it of "hostile acts".

Attaf stressed that the member states of the BRICS group are friendly and allied countries to Algeria, noting that before the group was established, Algeria would make joint steps related to foreign policy.

In July, Tebboune announced that Algeria formally applied to join BRICS and asked to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank with $1.5 billion. However, the BRICS leadership decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to join the group, excluding Algeria from the list.

Elsewhere, the Algerian Minister underlined that multipolarity in international relations, global security, and multilateral re-work are the core of Algeria's foreign policy.