As it is unable to come to an agreement with the ECOWAS delegation regarding the restoration of democracy in Niger, the military junta in Niger, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, is considering recalling the ambassadors to Nigeria, Togo, the United States, and France.
The junta also intends to terminate all Memorandum of Understanding agreements with France and expel US and French soldiers from the nation.
Punch received confirmation of the information from defense sources present at the ongoing meeting in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
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“The ongoing negotiation has failed. The junta has declared that it’ll recall Niger’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Togo, France, and the US,” said a defence source.
Another source said, “The junta has just announced that it’ll evict French and US troops in the Niger Republic, noting that all MoU agreements between France and Niger have ended.”
The junta has also declared its intention to remove US and French soldiers and terminate all agreements with France.
The ECOWAS sent out two delegations on Thursday to deal with the political situation in Niger.
The first team met with the coup plotters and other parties in Niger under the leadership of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state of Nigeria. Ambassador Babagana Kingibe led a different group that met with the rulers of Algeria and Libya.
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Both teams were sent on the expedition by President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as the chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
To secure a successful and peaceful resolution in Niger, Tinubu urged the delegates to work vigorously with all stakeholders.
The President said, “We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region.”
General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired), speaking after the meeting, stated that the delegation would visit the coup organizers in Niger to deliver the demands of the ECOWAS leadership.
The two mission leaders both expressed confidence in the tasks’ success.
Speaking to journalists before departing the Villa for Niamey, Abubakar said, “We have just been given our marching orders to go to Niger and convey the feelings of our heads of state in the region that they are not happy with what happened. And they gave them an ultimatum that the coupists should desist from what they are doing and give back power to an elected President and again, to make sure that this message is sent loud and clear to them.
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“That’s what we are here for. So far, we are going there to convey this message to them and hear their response and report back what they have said.”
Kingibe said talking with Libya and Algeria, two countries bordering Niger to the North, will stimulate the solidarity required for peaceful talks.
He said, “Of course, this kind of situation requires solidarity. It requires coordination with all parties that are relevant to the situation.
“In that regard, Libya and Algeria are also very important neighbours of Niger. So, my mission is to go there with a message from President Tinubu. To brief them on the ECOWAS position and solicit solidarity and cooperation.
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“We hope to find a diplomatic solution. Nobody wants to go to war, especially with neighbourly, brotherly people across the border with whom we share a common language, culture and religion.”
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