An informed source revealed to “Sky News Arabia” that the detained President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, conveyed to the delegation of the Economic Community of West African States “ECOWAS”, which ended its talks with the coup leaders in Niamey, on Sunday, a secret message regarding the safety of him, his wife and their son, who are being held with him inside the presidential palace. Since the coup occurred on the twenty-fifth of last July.
While the military council in Niger announced a plan to transfer power to civilians within 3 years, the “ECOWAS” group rejected these arrangements, and said that its plans are proceeding as it is, as it confirmed its readiness for military intervention.
However, observers indicated that concerns about the safety of Bazoum and his family may constitute an obstacle to any military intervention by “ECOWAS”.
Muhammad Khamis, a researcher specializing in West African affairs, told Sky News Arabia that the most prominent points of disagreement between the ECOWAS delegation and the leaders of the military council were the release of Bazoum and the return to civilian rule, but he indicated that the military insisted on moving forward with their coup until If it cost them their lives.
Khamis explained that the content of the secret message that the ECOWAS delegation might reveal after its return to Nigeria will determine a lot, noting that “the street in Niger is waiting for what will happen in the coming hours.”
The Associated Press quoted a senior Nigerian official as saying that the talks between the military council and the ECOWAS delegation did not result in much.
Niger crisis.. A French-American dispute is surfacing
The talks, which lasted about two hours, were the first time that the head of the military council, General Abdul Rahman Chiani, met the delegation of the African Group, after refusing previous attempts.
According to analysts, Bazoum’s safety may constitute the most significant obstacle to ECOWAS’ intervention in Niger.
History professor at Nigerian universities, Mohamed Thani, says that previous experiences have confirmed the difficulty of undoing any coup that takes place in any of the countries in the region, except in very rare cases.
However, Thani indicates, in his interview with “Sky News Arabia”, the possibility of reaching an approach that guarantees a safe exit for Bazoum and his family, and explains: “The presence of the isolated president inside the palace may constitute a pressure card for the putschists, but at the same time it may be a burden on them.”
In the same context, the Commissioner for Political Affairs in the “ECOWAS” group confirmed that the military plans that the group intends to implement are proceeding as they are, and said that it “will no longer accept prolonged transitional periods in the region.”
Mass demonstrations in Niamey in support of the coup leaders in Niger
confused position
Eleven of the 15 ECOWAS member states have agreed to military intervention if constitutional order is not restored. A large segment of Nigeriens opposes the principle of military intervention that the “ECOWAS” group is waving to restore Bazoum’s rule. Mali and Burkina Faso sent fighter jets to support the new military junta in Niger, indicating the possibility of a fierce military confrontation with the “ECOWAS” forces. The coup leaders are under pressure, most notably the fear of the consequences of regional sanctions for refusing to return Bazoum to his position, while they fear a military attack from France.
#Bazoum #ECOWAS.. #secret #message #upset #scales #Niger #crisis
2023-08-21 13:20:15
