Niger’s coup leader insist on zero interference
By Daily Tab24
Category: News
Updated: Aug 9, 2023
Time: 11:43
The response is ‘no’ the coupist in Niger believes with his might, the sovereignty of Niger is not subject to any negotiation. He had previously made it clear that Niger would not take external interferences, especially on internal matters. Coup in Niger is internal matter that must be internally addressed; no ECOWAS, no AU and no US or France.
On the side of ECOWAS, coup in Africa has become a new trend and if strong position is not taken to counter or deter coups, the whole continent might be in trouble. Niger wants to be the major statement they make concerning trending coups, a statement that will discourage coups in Africa.
Initially; ECOWAS threatened to approach the coup leader with military force, by virtue of the one week ultimatum given to the coup leaders to restore constitutional order and reinstate Basoum, the deposed elected President of Niger. ECOWAS ultimatum followed that of AU, which gave two weeks and one day ultimatum.
Ultimatums seemed to have failed, courtesy of the hard position of the junta in Niger and other African countries, Mali and Burkina Faso. Niger coup leader had previously vowed to respond aggressively to any military invasion of his country. And as soon as ECOWAS and AU gave their ultimatums; he began defense mobilization, but it appears there won’t be military option yet.
Efforts to speak with Niger coup leader have failed, the first effort was a delegation lead by former Nigeria military ruler, Abdusalami Abubakar, who couldn’t meet the coup leader after ECOWAS sent his team to Niger, they were blocked at Niger airport and urged to go back after a brief message was delivered to the delegation sent by the coup leader in honour of their visit.
Abdusalami decried they were not allowed to meet Tchiani, the new military leader of Niger. He further noted the message from his delegation was received by the delegation sent by the coup leader and in return they were told to go that they would respond afterwards. No response of any nature came to ECOWAS or through Abdusalami’s delegation.
The next response from Niger was clear; they would not accept any military action and would not fold hands and watch the country invaded. With the support from Malii and Burkina Faso, the coup in Niger was emboldened and ready to engage with proportional force.
French magazine Jeune Afrique reported that African Union drafted a joint delegation; including UN delegates to meet Tchiani and discuss solution to restore constitutional order, but the AU were denied consent, which followed air space closure of the Sahel country.
Efforts to speak with the Niger junta remain abortive, a move that places military option on the front burner. ECOWAS, AU and the junta appear to be on a straight opposing line. While ECOWAS and AU want reinstatement of Basoum, Niger junta wants zero interference and the lines are parallel – and cannot meet.
ECOWAS has faced stiff opposition on the intended military action; with the red chamber of the country’s chairman kicking against military intervention, which the President is expected to abide by. Niger junta continues to speak from a position of strength, leveraging international and regional politics of divide.
