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Niger coup leader says he aims for transitional government

2023-08-20 22:10:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Niger coup leader says he aims for transitional government

The leader of the coup in Niger, Abdourahmane Tchiani.

The leader of the coup in Niger, Abdourahmane Tchiani, has said on Sunday that he wants to create a transitional government which would remain in power for "no more than three years".

During a speech on state television on August 20, Tchiani also warned foreign countries against military intervention in Niger.

He said he wants to have "comprehensive national dialogue" within 30 days and consult with all citizens of Niger.

Tchiani became Niger's leader last month after a shock coup in which the presidential guard arrested and ousted the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

The national dialogue would provide the basis for the creation of a new constitution, said Tchiani, underlining that decisions will be made "without external interference".

His comments come as the West African regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, said its defense chiefs are preparing a plan for military intervention in Niger if law and order is not restored.

A possible date for the intervention has been set but not made public, ECOWAS said.

Niger's new leaders responded by saying they have developed a defense strategy with "concrete measures" together with two neighboring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, if ECOWAS decides to "go to war".

Mali and Burkina Faso are ruled by the military, too, after coups.

However, ECOWAS has stressed that a peaceful solution should remain a priority and that military intervention would only be necessary if it fails.

After the July 26 coup in Niger, ECOWAS called for the return to power of Bazoumi, who is being held under house arrest in the presidential palace.

Nigeria, a Sahel country with about 26 million inhabitants, is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Until the coup, Nigeria was one of the most democratic partners of the United States and Europe in the Sahel region./REL