August 21, (THEWILL) – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected a three-year transition to democracy programme proposed by the military junta in Niger Republic.
THEWILL had earlier reported that General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the Niger junta, had said, in a televised broadcast on Saturday night, that the army will hand over power to the civilian government within the next three years.
But the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musa, in an interview with the BBC on Sunday, said General Tchiani’s proposal is just a smokescreen for dialogue and diplomacy.
“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.
“Military aspect is very much on. The earlier they give power back to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility, which is defending the territorial integrity of Niger, the better for them,” Musa warned.
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