The leader of the junta assures that his “ambition is not to confiscate power”

2023-08-20 05:35:53

Under the threat of military action from ECOWAS, General Abdourahamane Tiani wanted to clarify his intentions on Saturday evening. Came to power in a coup on July 26, Niger’s new strongman assured that the transition period “cannot go beyond three years”, while warning foreign countries against military intervention targeting his country.

“Our ambition is not to confiscate power,” the general said in a televised address. “If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walkover some people believe in,” he further warned, the day after a decision by ECOWAS saying it was ready for armed intervention.

Launch of a “national dialogue”

In this speech of a dozen minutes, General Tiani announced the launch of a “national dialogue” which has thirty days to formulate “concrete proposals” with a view to laying “the foundations of a new constitutional life”. .

This speech comes after the visit, earlier in the day, of a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis.

“ECOWAS is preparing to attack Niger by setting up an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army”, continued the general without citing a country. He also denounced once again the “illegal” and “inhuman” sanctions of the West African organization.

Since July 30, Niger has been under heavy financial and trade sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, which wants ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held prisoner since July 26, to return to power.