2023-10-10 19:01:00
Algiers decided, Monday, October 9 evening, to “postpone the initiation of preparatory discussions [au Niger] considered until the clarifications that he considers necessary regarding the implementation of Algerian mediation are obtained. In their press release, Algerian Foreign Affairs recalled that “on Wednesday September 27, 2023, the Nigerien authorities informed, by official letter, the Algerian government of their acceptance of Algerian mediation in the political, institutional and constitutional crisis facing Niger. is confronted “.
Algeria had proposed, at the end of August, its mediation in the crisis that this neighboring country was going through, notably with the idea of a “six-month period for the implementation of a political solution leading to the restoration of order.” constitutional and democratic in Niger.
Niamey said “yes”, according to Algiers
Political arrangements to end the crisis “require the imperative association and approval of all parties in Niger, without any exclusion, these arrangements having to be carried out within a period not exceeding six months, under the control of an authority civil, led by a consensual personality, accepted by all factions of the political class in Niger in order to achieve the restoration of constitutional order in this country,” detailed the head of Algerian diplomacy, Ahmed Attaf.
The coup authorities therefore responded, on September 27, to the Algerian proposal in the affirmative by letter, according to Algiers. “Upon receipt of this letter, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, to go to Niamey as soon as possible, in order to begin preparatory discussions with the Nigerien authorities for Algerian mediation,” explains yesterday’s press release.
Waiting for “clarifications”
Since this date, Ahmed Attaf, “directly with his Nigerien interlocutor, as well as the Algerian embassy in Niamey with the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have engaged in discussions relating to the program and content of this visit” .
But “these exchanges were not conclusive on these two subjects. Likewise, official and public declarations from Nigerien authorities have raised legitimate questions about their real willingness to follow through on their acceptance of Algerian mediation,” the statement read. Consequently, the Algerian government “has decided to postpone the initiation of the planned preparatory discussions until obtaining the clarifications that it considers necessary regarding the implementation of Algerian mediation,” the text concludes.
Wrong interpretation ?
As a reminder, Algiers announced on October 2 that it had received notification of acceptance of its mediation through the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
But a few hours after this announcement, the junta insisted that the duration of the transition would only be set by an “inclusive national” dialogue. According to Niger’s Foreign Affairs, Niamey acknowledged having “expressed the availability of the Nigerien authorities to examine Algeria’s offer of mediation.”
Niger’s Foreign Affairs indicated that, during a meeting on September 25 between the two Algerian and Nigerien heads of diplomacy, “the Nigerien side expressed the availability of the Nigerien authorities to examine the offer of mediation of Algeria as a contribution to a negotiated solution.
Niger’s Foreign Affairs surprised
“This position reflects the expression of the singularity of the centuries-old bonds of friendship and fraternity between our two States and our two brother peoples,” continues Nigerien Foreign Affairs, which adds that “the Nigerien side has clarified from the start that the duration of the transition should result from the conclusions of the National Inclusive Forum as well as the direction given for a change in the governance of our country.
“Before any formalization of the conclusions of this meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was surprised to note through social networks and certain media, a press release from the Algerian government indicating that Niger had “accepted the mediation of Algeria which proposed to the military a transition of six months”, is surprised by the Foreign Affairs of Niger which concluded that “the government of the Republic of Niger rejects the said conclusions while reiterating its desire to preserve the links of friendship and fraternity with Algeria”.
The “niet” of Ali Lamine Zeine
“For the case of Algeria, there was certainly a misunderstanding,” declared the transitional Prime Minister designated by the junta, Ali Lamine Zeine. “We were in the process of agreeing on the content of the initiative [algérienne] when we found out on social media that we agreed. Which immediately justified the government’s reaction and saying “no”. It is not because we are in a difficult situation that we can – and allow me this term because I measure what I say – manipulate us,” continued Ali Lamine Zeine. He concluded by considering that “Algeria, which was the first country, and we must thank it, to oppose any use of force against our country, should be able to reaffirm this position. If Algeria wishes to come and make its contribution to emerge from the crisis, it is together that we should define the conditions of this initiative.”
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