The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) refuses to negotiate with the rebels in Niger, who ousted President Mohamed Bazum in late July. This was announced by Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, in an interview with a TV channel. Al Jazeera.
The representative of the organization said, “We will not negotiate with the putschists in Niger. We do not intend to negotiate with the Niger military junta on proposals for a three-year transition period.” Musah stressed that if it turns out that the coup leaders in Niger are manipulating ECOWAS, they will use all available options. He also expressed the view that General Abdurakhman Tchiani’s position, head of the National Council for the Liberation of the Fatherland (NCSR), was an attempt to buy time.
Musah added that the ECOWAS delegation, which visited Niger at the weekend to seek a solution to the crisis, was able to convey its position from the NSSR to the rebels. He described it as a positive thing.
On the evening of 19 August, General Tchiani delivered a speech in which he strongly condemned the ECOWAS sanctions, which were illegal, inhumane and aimed at dividing Niger and its people. He warned that any intervention by ECOWAS countries would be seen as an invasion and any aggression would be met with retaliation.
Former leader of the rebels estimated Mass blood was shed in Niger with foreign intervention.