On Tuesday, Ahmed Attaf, the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Algeria has presented an initiative to end the crisis in Niger, where the military seized power on July 26. The proposal includes a six-month transition period.
In an attempt to end the crisis in Niger, Algeria has proposed a ‘six-month transition plan’ to the military, who seized power on July 26, before returning to constitutional and democratic order. This is in contrast to the three-year period suggested by the military. The Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, stated this on Tuesday, August 29.
The new strongman of Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani, called for ‘a transition period lasting a maximum of three years,’ as recalled by the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, during a press conference in Algiers. ‘But in our opinion, the process can be completed in six months, so that the ongoing coup does not become a ‘fait accompli’,’ he added.
Ahmed Attaf had just returned from a tour of three countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lounes Magramane, simultaneously traveled to Niamey, where he was able to meet with the Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine. However, he did not meet with the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, as stated by Ahmed Attaf. The Minister of Foreign Affairs did not specify whether Mohamed Bazoum would be part of the transition plan proposed by Algeria.
Algeria proposes political discussions ‘for a maximum of six months with the participation and approval of all parties in Niger without exclusion,’ under the supervision of a ‘civil authority led by a consensual personality accepted by all sides of the political class,’ in order to lead to ‘the restoration of constitutional order in the country,’ according to Ahmed Attaf.
The Minister reiterated Algeria’s opposition to any armed intervention in its neighboring country, with which it shares nearly 1,000 km of borders. ‘We reject a military solution. How could we allow the use of our airspace for a military operation?’ emphasized the Minister.
On August 6, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune categorically stated his refusal of any external military intervention in Niger, which he considers ‘a direct threat to Algeria.’
After the overthrow of Niger’s President Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, on July 26, ECOWAS announced on August 10 its intention to deploy a West African force ‘to restore constitutional order in Niger.’
Ahmed Attaf warned against the ‘catastrophic effects’ of a military solution that could ‘push thousands of Nigeriens towards migration,’ stating that a new conflict in the region could serve as ‘an additional breeding ground for terrorism and organized crime.’
With AFP