The military junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani in the Republic of Niger is considering recalling the Nigerien Ambassador to Nigeria after failing to reach an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation on the restoration of democracy in Niger.
According to the Punch, the junta plans to recall Nigerien Ambassadors to Togo, the United States, and France as part of its efforts to remove French and US troops from the country. They have also declared an end to all memoranda of Understanding between France and Niger.
Defense sources attending the meeting in the Niger capital, Niamey, confirmed this development on Friday morning. “The ongoing negotiation has been unsuccessful.
The junta has announced that Niger’s Ambassadors to Nigeria, Togo, France, and the US will be recalled,” stated a reliable defense source in a concise message sent to reporters. Another source close to the situation added,
“The junta has just declared its intention to expel French and US troops from Niger, and all previous agreements between France and Niger are now null and void.”
The military junta, led by Tchiani, who was formerly the Head of the Presidential Guard, executed a palace coup on July 26, 2023, detaining President Mohamed Bazoum and declaring himself the Head of State. ECOWAS dispatched two missions to help resolve the political crisis in Niger.
The first delegation, led by former Nigerian Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), engaged with the coupists and other parties involved in the Nigerien standoff in Niamey. Another delegation, led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, met with the leaders of Libya and Algeria to discuss the crisis in Niger.
President Tinubu, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, charged both teams with the mandate to swiftly resolve the crisis in Niger.
These delegations, departing for Niamey after a briefing by President Tinubu, were dispatched in accordance with the resolution reached during the extraordinary summit of ECOWAS held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the weekend.
The former Nigerian Head of State is joined by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, in the delegation.
President Tinubu encouraged both delegations to engage all stakeholders to find a conclusive and peaceful resolution to the situation in Niger. The goal is to prioritize African peace and development rather than adopting the geopolitical positions of other countries.
Temmyabbe (
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