Niamey. General Abdourahamane Tiani, who assumed power in Niger after a coup, assured this Saturday that the transition period could not exceed three years and warned against any military intervention.
“Our ambition is not to seize power,” Tiani declared in a speech broadcast on television, specifying that the duration of the transition “may not exceed three years.”
The general also warned about the consequences of an “aggression”, the day after the West African countries said they were “ready” for an armed intervention.
In his speech, which lasted about 10 minutes, Tiani announced the launch of a “national dialogue” that should formulate “concrete proposals” within 30 days, with a view to laying “the foundations for a new constitutional life.”
His address comes after the visit of a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niamey.
“ECOWAS is preparing to attack Niger by creating an occupation army in collaboration with a foreign army,” Tiani continued, without naming any specific country.
The general also denounced the “illegal” and “inhumane” sanctions imposed by the regional organization.
ECOWAS has imposed a series of sanctions against Niger since July 30 with the aim of returning power to deposed President Momahem Bazoum, who has been held at his residence since the July 26 coup.
