The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected the
three-year power transition plan proposed by Niger Republic’s military junta.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS
commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, spoke on Sunday in an
interview with the BBC.
In a late-night address on
Saturday, Abdourahmane Tiani, Niger Republic’s self-declared head of state,
said the country will return to civilian rule within three
years.
The coup leader gave no details of the plan, noting that only 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 had
said.
The junta leader spoke after
meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former
head of state.
Reacting to Tiani’s proposal,
Musah said ECOWAS would no longer accept prolonged transition periods in the
region.
“Ecowas is not accepting any prolonged
transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand over in the
shortest possible time,” he said.
“The earlier they give power back
to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility that is defending
the territorial integrity of Niger, the better for them.”
Musah also added that the
“military aspect is very much on”.
The junta head earlier said Niger
did not want a war but would defend itself against any foreign
intervention if compelled to.
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