Nigeria President Bola Tinubu proposes nine-month transition for Niger Junta
Β
The idea of Bola Tinubu for returning to democracy is a counterproposal to the military commanders’ demand for three years to restore constitutional order.
Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria has floated the idea of a transition back to democracy in neighbouring Niger, similar to the nine-month period his country underwent in the late 1990s.
After troops ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup on July 26, the Economic Community of West African States imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened to use military force as a last resort if negotiations to restore civilian rule were unsuccessful.
The group insisted in a statement on Thursday that it wants Bazoum back in office immediately.
it said:
“The military authorities in Niger must restore constitutional order immediately by liberating and reinstating… President Mohamed Bazoum.”
The new military leaders of Niger have dug in, saying they want a maximum three-year transition time to restore constitutional order and have ordered police to deport France’s envoy as tensions rise with a major partner in Niger’s war against rebellion.
Niger’s interior ministry declared late Thursday that UN agencies, NGOs, and international organizations would be banned from working in military “operation zones.”
It did not specify which areas were affected, but stated that the measures were implemented “due to the current security situation.”
“All activities and or movements in the zones of operations are temporarily suspended,” the statement stated.
President BolaTinubu stated that Nigeria returned to civilian administration in 1999 following a nine-month transition period initiated by former military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had also led delegations to meet with the Niger junta.
“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.
In a bid to avoid any military intervention in Niger, Algeria, Niger’s influential northern neighbor, met with West African leaders and suggested a six-month transition.
The ECOWAS sanctions would not be revoked until the regime made “positive adjustments,” according to Tinubu’s statement, for which he currently serves as chair.
“The soldiers’ action is unacceptable. The earlier they make positive adjustments, the quicker we will dial back the sanctions to alleviate the sufferings we are seeing in Niger,” it said.
The overthrow of Niger’s government has triggered concern around West Africa where Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso have all been taken over by the military since 2020.
With this week’s military coup to remove President Ali Bongo from office in Gabon, who was overthrown just moments after being declared the winner of a strongly disputed election over the weekend, fears regarding contagion increased.
According to a letter seen by the ogulaghavanguardsnews agency, Niger’s new military leaders have also been involved in a political conflict with Paris and have stripped France’s ambassador of his diplomatic security and instructed police to expel him.
According to their letter dated Tuesday to the French foreign ministry in Paris, the envoy “no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as member of the diplomatic staff in the French embassy.”
Following the July coup, relations with France became worse as Paris supported Bazoum and refused to recognize the nation’s new leaders.
France rejected the request, stating that the military rulers had no legal right to issue such an order.
Colonel Pierre Gaudilliere, a spokesman for the French military, has issued a warning that “the French military forces are ready to respond to any uptick in tension that could harm French diplomatic and military premises in Niger.”
To help in the fight against a terrorist insurgency in Niger, France supplies around 1500 troops in the country, many of them are stationed at an airbase close to the capital.
This News Is Reaching You From Ogulagha Vanguards Ltd
The True Face Of Niger Delta.
We Tell Your Story Better
For Publication Of Press Releases, Statements, Advert And Inquiries Send An email To ogulaghavangurds@gmail.com,
Call 08051670922 Or, Reach Us At,
www.ogulaghavanguards.com.ng
