Niger Republic Junta Hopes for Deal with ECOWAS

Niger Republic’s new Prime Minister says there are hopes of reaching an agreement with West Africa’s Regional Bloc ECOWAS, following the group’s hardline position on the coup in the country.

Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, who was appointed by the junta, was making his first appearance at a press conference in the capital, Niamey.

He told newsmen that the new military rulers have not stopped contacts with ECOWAS, and have good hopes of reaching an agreement in the coming days.

The Regional Bloc has threatened to use force to restore civilian rule after the 26 July coup by soldiers of the presidential guard who ousted elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

Mr. Lamine Zeine maintained that they would defend themselves if attacked, saying “every preparation has been taken”.

He also said negotiations were under way for the withdrawal of French troops from the country.

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Nigerian President Bola Tinubu — who is also the current chairman of ECOWAS — last Thursday suggested a nine-month period such as his country underwent in the late 1990s.
“The president sees no reason why such cannot be replicated in Niger, if Niger’s military authorities are sincere,” the Nigerian presidency said in a statement.
Algeria, Niger’s influential northern neighbor, has proposed a six-month transition.
The military rulers so far have not responded to the suggestions, having previously spoken of a three-year handback period.
ECOWAS has taken a hard line with regard to Niger following a cascade of coups in its region since 2020.
The military have taken power in Mali and Burkina Faso, where like Niger, losses among the armed forces are surging in the face of a long-running jihadist insurgency.
A putsch also took place in Guinea in 2021 after the country’s octogenarian president, Alpha Conde, ran for a third term in office, a move that opponents said breached constitutional limits.