ECOWAS rejects Nigerien military govt’s transition plan
By KEMI KASUMU
Under 24 hours after the military regime in Republic of Niger announced a three-year transition programme at the end of ehich it will hand over power to civillian administration, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), The DEFENDER earlier reported eas yet to react, has reacted, rejecting the plan.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musa, who reacted on behalf of the regional bloc later Sunday, stated during an interview with the BBC that the regime’s announced plan was unacceptable to the group.
The DEFENDER recalls that General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Niger’s Head of State, had said in a televised broadcast Saturday night that the army would hand over power to civilian government within the next three years.
But in the interview Abdel-Fatau Musa said that General Tchiani’s proposal is just a smokescreen for dialogue and diplomacy.
Earlier Saturday former Military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), led a delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niger in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful solution with the Niger junta.
The delegation met with Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine who received them at the airport and led them to the presidential palace.
They later met with the ousted Niger’s president Mohamed Bazoum, after meeting General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the junta.
It was the first peace talk led by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar that ECOWAS activated its standby force.
It said Niger junta had ignored the ultimatum to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum.
