Abdourahmane Tiani, Niger Republic’s self-declared head of
state, says the country will return to civilian rule within three years.
Tiani spoke late Saturday night in a televised address.
The coup leader gave no details on the plan, saying only
that the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a
dialogue to be hosted by the junta.
“Our ambition is not to confiscate power. Transition period
will not exceed three years; meanwhile, political parties are urged to submit
their vision for the transition within 30 days,” Tiani said.
In his 12-minute speech, the former head of the country’s
presidency guards said ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack Niger by setting up
an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army”.
Tiani denounced what he called “illegal” and “inhuman”
sanctions imposed by the regional bloc.
He said the country is not looking for war but is ready to
defend itself if compelled to.
“There’s availability
for any dialogue, provided that it takes into account the aspirations of the
people of Niger. However, any intervention will open a Pandora’s Box and will
not be the walk in the park some people seem to think,” he said.
While Niger’s coup leaders had previously rebuffed the
delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on
Saturday, Ali Lamine Zeine, the country’s prime minister, received Abdulsalami
Abubakar, former Nigerian head of state; Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of
Sokoto; and Omar Touray, ECOWAS commission president.
After the meeting, the delegation met with toppled President
Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held hostage since the July 26 military takeover.
“We met Bazoum, we heard from him what was done to him. He
told us about the problems he’s facing. We’ll take it to the leaders who sent
us here,” Abdulsalami had said.
“Without doubt, the
meeting has opened discussions to lead to a way to resolve this crisis.”
While ECOWAS defence chiefs said they had finalised plans to
intervene in Niger, the security council maintained that the bloc still favours
diplomacy.
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