ECOWAS delegation leaves Niger after failed talks with junta

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Aug 2023 19:46
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Time is ticking as the ECOWAS has set a 'D-Day' for the possible military intervention in Niger.

From left; President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mousa Tourey, ECOWAS Special Envoy to the Republic of Niger, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Niger ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, pose in Niamey, Niger, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 (AP)

The ECOWAS delegation which was attending talks in Niger with the Nigerien junta in a bid to reinstate ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum left the country on Sunday after failing to reach an agreement with the new military leadership, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported on Sunday, citing sources close to the matter.

According to broadcaster RFI, the delegation came to the capital of Niger, Niamey, on Saturday, and made a first stop to visit Bazoum and assess the conditions of his arrest.

Later in the day, the delegation held talks with Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani to communicate their demands and negotiate a deal with the junta.

Time is ticking as the ECOWAS has set a 'D-Day' for the possible military intervention in Niger, aimed at allegedly "restoring democracy" in Niger, according to the organization's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah. However, a specific date has not been released yet.

Earlier in the day, the Associated Press cited an official as saying that Niger coup leaders are under pressure from regional sanctions against the country as they refuse to reinstate Bazoum and claimed that they are "fearful of attacks from France."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official indicated that the two-hour talks, which were aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the country's crisis, resulted in little clarity on the future steps.

On Saturday, Burkina Faso's Defense Minister Kassoum Coulibaly told Sputnik that the country is preparing for a possible military intervention in Niger and is readying to support Niger.

"We anticipate aggression [of ECOWAS forces against Niger]. In any case, the head of our state [Ibrahim Traore] said that we are ready for the aggression, we support Niger," Coulibaly expressed, adding that his country is even willing to withdraw from ECOWAS considering the association's policy towards Niger as unreasonable.