Niger’s coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has declared that he will not bow down to pressure to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. In a televised address on Wednesday, Tchiani criticized the economic sanctions imposed by West African leaders as “illegal” and “inhumane”. He urged the people of Niger to get ready to defend their nation.
The comments from Tchiani came as the defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in Nigeria to discuss the crisis in Niger. ECOWAS has imposed severe economic sanctions on Niger and threatened to use force if Bazoum’s presidency is not restored by August 6. The regional bloc has also sent a delegation to Niger to negotiate with the soldiers who seized power.
However, Tchiani remained defiant, stating that the military rejects the sanctions and refuses to give in to any threats. He called on the people of Niger to unite and defeat those who want to destabilize the country. Tchiani warned of difficult times ahead and criticized the “hostile and radical” attitudes of those who oppose his rule.
The standoff between Niger and ECOWAS marks an intensification of the democratic backslide in West Africa. In recent years, there have been military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau. ECOWAS Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah stated that the military option is the last resort but the bloc must prepare for it.
As part of the sanctions, Nigeria has cut power supply to Niger, which heavily depends on its neighbor for 70 percent of its power. The World Bank has also suspended disbursements to Niger. General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s chief of defense and chairman of the ECOWAS defense chiefs, emphasized the commitment to democracy and regional stability.
Despite ECOWAS’s hardline response, military-backed governments in the region, such as Mali and Burkina Faso, have expressed support for Tchiani. They consider any foreign intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them as well. General Salifou Mody, one of Niger’s coup leaders, arrived in Mali’s capital to stress the need for cooperation between the two countries.
Russia, which has increased its presence in Mali and Burkina Faso following the coups there, called for urgent national dialogue in Niger. Western countries have strongly condemned the coup in Niger, as they saw the country as a reliable partner in the fight against armed groups in the Sahel region. The United States announced the evacuation of some staff and families from its embassy in Niger, while European countries have also been evacuating their citizens.
The situation in Niger remains tense, with no announcement of a withdrawal of foreign troops. The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is seen as fraught with potential hurdles and complications. The decisions made by ECOWAS will send a strong message about their commitment to democracy and regional stability.
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
How are the military officials in Niger, led by General Tchiani, responding to the pressure from the economic sanctions and threats of force from ECOWAS
AS continues as coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, refuses to reinstate the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Tchiani criticized the economic sanctions imposed by West African leaders as “illegal” and “inhumane”, and called on the people of Niger to prepare for defense.
Meanwhile, the defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in Nigeria to discuss the crisis in Niger. ECOWAS has imposed strict economic sanctions and threatened the use of force if Bazoum’s presidency is not restored by August 6. ECOWAS has also sent a delegation to negotiate with the military officials who took control of the government.
Despite the pressure, Tchiani remains unyielding and rejects the sanctions, vowing not to give in to threats. He implores the people to unite against those seeking to destabilize the country. Tchiani warns of challenging times ahead and criticizes the “hostile and radical” opposition to his rule.
The Niger-ECOWAS standoff continues, with no resolution in sight.
This coup leader’s defiance against pressure to reinstate the ousted president is concerning and poses a threat to Niger’s democratic future. It is crucial for the international community to condemn this undemocratic action and support the people of Niger in their fight for stability and genuine representation.
It is concerning to see the coup leader in Niger defying international pressure to reinstate the ousted president. This kind of behavior undermines the democratic values and stability that the country desperately needs.