Niger’s military rulers insist on talks with ECOWAS: PM

Niger’s military rulers have urged a delegation from a West African bloc to return for talks with ECOWAS, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French broadcaster TV5 Monde Monday 7 August 2023, after an abortive first attempt.

“The junta have asked the ECOWAS delegation to return,” and its members “will be in Niamey probably today (Monday) or tomorrow”, Mahamadou said in an interview.

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DID THE BLOC MEET BAZOUM AS SCHEDULED?

An ECOWAS delegation arrived in the capital Niamey last Thursday but did not stay overnight as scheduled. It did not meet either the toppled elected President Mohamed Bazoum or coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani.

A deadline the bloc set for Sunday night threatening military intervention unless Bazoum was restored to his post then expired with no response. Earlier Monday, ECOWAS agreed to hold a summit meeting next week to discuss how to proceed.

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The ECOWAS bloc “leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the summit”, the 15-nation bloc said in its first official reaction following the deadline expiry.

“We are not disappointed… because our objective is not military intervention. Our objective is the restoration of democracy and the end of the sequestration of President Bazoum,” said Mahamadou.

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NIGER’S MILITARY INSISTS ON NEGOTIATION WITH ECOWAS

Mahamadou revealed in his interview that Bazoum — held since July 26 with his wife and son — was enduring deteriorating conditions. “They have cut off their electricity, their water,” he said.

“Negotiation is still possible,” he added. Mahamadou said he was not surprised to see apparent demonstrations of popular support for the coup over the weekend.

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“To fill a stadium as they did, you just have to provide the means — to promise a little financial support to those who participate,” he said in reference to the 30,000-strong crowd which gathered Sunday to show support for the military leaders at a Niamey stadium.