NIAMEY: Niger’s coup leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani has promised to return the West African country to civilian rule within three years.
He made the announcement after meeting mediators from the West African regional bloc Ecowas in the capital city Niamey.
Ecowas has threatened military action to reverse overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum’s government in July, if negotiations fail.
The coup leader said that Niger did not desire a war but would defend itself against any foreign intervention, according to BBC.
He warned in his televised address on Saturday evening that if an attack were to be undertaken against Niger, it will not be the walk in the park some people seem to think.
Sanctions on Niger
General Tchiani also reiterated criticism of what he termed the inhumane and illegal sanctions imposed by Ecowas on Niger.
This has included cutting electricity supply, leading to blackouts in the capital and other main cities, as well as blocking important imports.
Lorry drivers have been stuck for weeks waiting to transport supplies, forcing up food rates.
Gen Tchiani said that sanctions are not conceived with the objective of finding a solution but to bring the military government to its knees and humiliate it.
Thousands of citizens gathered in a stadium in Niamey on Saturday to register for a volunteer force in case of invasion.
Regional efforts to reverse the coup have been supported by the United States and France, which both have military bases in the country. These bases are part of efforts to tackle militant groups in the Sahel region.
General Tchiani, who headed the presidential guard before occupying power on July 26, said the intervention could worsen the insurgencies of the Islamic State al-Qaeda.
