The leader of the Niger junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, hinted at a possible transition period after meeting with a ECOWAS delegation on Saturday.
In a televised broadcast on Saturday, he said the junta had no ambition to seize power, adding that the transition of power would not last more than three years.
However, Tchiani did not give details about the possible transition. According to Aljazeera, he said the principles for the measure would be decided within 30 days in a dialogue to be organized by the ruling military council.
He also stated that ECOWAS is “preparing to attack Niger by creating an occupation army in collaboration with a foreign army”, denouncing what he described as “illegal” and “inhumane” sanctions imposed by the regional bloc.
He reiterated the junta’s willingness to dialogue and affirmed that neither the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland nor the people of Niger want war.
ECOWAS defense chiefs said on Friday they had finalized plans to intervene in Niger if all diplomatic options failed militarily. He held a two-day meeting to finalize the deployment of a standby force as directed by the heads of state’s authority.
“But let’s be clear: if an attack is launched against us, it will not be the walk in the park that some people seem to think,” Tchiani warned.
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This came on the heels of meeting with an ECOWAS delegation headed by former Nigerian military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar, who met with Mr. Tchiani and other junta leaders.
In a video showing Abubakar speaking to journalists in Niamey, he said both groups discussed the situation, which he will relay to ECOWAS leaders.
“I cannot tell you what we have discussed until I have questioned those who sent me (ECOWAS),” he said, adding that he believes the meeting will provide an opportunity for the resolution of the political crisis in Niger.
The video shows ECOWAS Commission Chairman Omar Touray and Sokoto Sultan Muhammad Abubakar III, the same group previously denied access to the junta leader.
The group also met with ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who had not been seen in public since he was detained by the junta.
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