War on Niger will not be 'walk in the park': Nigerien leader

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Aug 2023 09:00

The new Nigerien military leader calls for national dialogue to draw up concrete proposals to set a "new constitutional life."

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

General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the recent military leader of Niger, warned on Saturday against any potential attack on the nation as a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made another attempt at diplomatically restoring ousted President Mohammad Bazoum, AFP reported.

The ECOWAS delegation, led by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar, met with the ousted President Bazoum, who was reportedly found in good spirits.

"If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walk in the park some people seem to think," General Tchiani said during a televised address to the Nigerien nation.

General Tiani also accused ECOWAS of preparing to launch an attack on Niger by collaborating with a foreign army to establish an occupying force, though he did not specify the foreign country in question.

As part of his address, General Tchiani assured the Nigerien public that the transitionary period, from military to civilian rule, would not last for more than 3 years.

He also announced a 30-day period of "national dialogue" to gather concrete proposals for the establishment of a new constitutional framework.

Yesterday, the State Department announced that a new US ambassador was dispatched to Niamey as diplomatic attempts to address Niger's political situation following last month's military coup continue.

The entry of the new ambassador comes only weeks after the United States asked non-essential embassy workers to depart amid the post-coup chaos in Niger.

A statement by the State Department noted that the appointment of a new ambassador does not change US policy, but rather "responds to the need for senior leadership of our mission at a challenging time."

The role of the new ambassador, according to the statement, is to search for a diplomatic solution to preserve order in Niger and to press for the release of President Mohamed Bazoum and those detained with him.