The Military government of Niger Republic, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani has pledged to return the country to civilian rule within three years.
The military rulers while making the pledge warned nearby states against trying to intervene in Niamey’s internal affairs.
In a televised address on Saturday evening, General Abdourahmane Tchiani – who deposed President Mohamed Bazoum in late July – said his government would decide on the principles for a transition within a month.
The process itself is expected to take “no longer than three years,” Tchiani said.
He stressed that while neither his government, nor the Nigerien people, want war and “remain open to dialogue,” the country is ready to defend itself against any external “aggression.” Tchiani predicted that such an intervention “would not be the walk in the park that some believe.
ECOWAS commissioner for peace and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said 11 of its 15 member states agreed to commit troops to a military deployment, saying they were “ready to go” whenever the order was given. He stated that the D-day has been decided.
On Saturday, an ECOWAS delegation headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar met with Bazoum, the first time foreign officials have seen the ousted leader in weeks and also held talks with the military government.
Commenting on his first meeting with representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the general expressed confidence that the two sides “will work together to find a way out of the crisis, in the interests of all.”
The new military government had accused ECOWAS f acting at the behest of former colonial ruler France.
It is an opinion held by many people in the West African region and beyond.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
