- General Tchiani, Niger junta leader, criticized ECOWAS sanctions, demanding the restoration of electricity and claiming sanctions hurt citizens
- He accused ECOWAS of planning an “occupying army” and emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue with Niger’s people
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the Niger junta, has criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctions as unjustified.
Tchiani demanded that the Federal Government restore the electricity that had been cut off as part of the embargoes imposed on the coupists following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
He spoke after meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by former President General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).
He said the regional bloc’s economic sanctions were unnecessary and that they were intended to punish Niger’s “good people.”
Children and other patients, he claimed, were dying in hospitals due to a lack of electricity.
He claims that border closures make obtaining food, drugs, and other necessities difficult.
According to the Daily Trust, following the military takeover in Niger Republic, ECOWAS gave the junta a seven-day deadline to reinstate ousted President Bazoum.
Despite pressure from the organization and other countries, the country’s military leaders have refused to reintroduce Bazoum.
Tchiani claimed in his 12-minute speech that ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack Niger by establishing an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army.”
I reaffirm here that our ambition is not to confiscate power. I also reaffirm our readiness to engage in any dialogue, as long as it takes into account the orientations desired by the proud and resilient people of Niger, he added.
ECOWAS defence chiefs agree on date for military intervention
A date has been assigned for ECOWAS to intervene in Niger to restore constitutional rule militarily, defence chiefs said on Friday.
“The D-day is also decided. We’ve already agreed and fine-tuned what will be required for the intervention,” Aljazeera quoted ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah as saying.
Although he did not disclose the specific day, he added, “we are ready to go any time the order is given.”
Defence chiefs held a two-day meeting in Accra, Ghana, to discuss the deployment of a standby force to Niger as directed by the heads of state.