Niger’s coup leader agrees to talks

14 August, 2023 The leader of the coup in Niger is General Omar Tchiani. Photo from open sources. The leader of the coup d'etat in Niger has agreed to direct talks with the African Economic Community ECOWAS under the threat of military invasion.

Al Jazeera reported on this. A group of Nigerian scholars who met Niger's coup leader said that he agreed to hold direct talks and resolve a standoff with West African leaders. Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, who led the Nigerian delegation, made the announcement on Sunday, a day after his group held talks with the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a joint statement by members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on possible military intervention to restore a legitimate government in Niger. At a summit meeting, West African leaders have given Niger's military junta one week to hand over power to a legitimate government, warning that the community will "use force" if the country refuses. The countries also imposed immediate financial sanctions.

Read more about the coup and the forces of the parties to the potential military conflict on the African continent in the article "Nigeria and Niger: on the brink of armed conflict"

The head of the delegation, Abdullahi Bala Lau, told Al Jazeera that after lengthy negotiations, Tchiani had "agreed to a full direct discussion with ECOWAS leaders".

"We want to create an avenue whereby the leaders of the junta coup in Niger will have a dialogue with the ECOWAS leaders to understand each other so that peace will continue to reign in our region," he added. During the meeting, Tchiani "claimed the coup was well intended" and that the plotters "struck to stave off an imminent threat that would have affected Nigeria as well as Niger". The coup leader said it was "painful" that ECOWAS had issued an ultimatum to restore former President Bazoum, who was ousted by force, without hearing "their side of the matter".

As previously reported, on July 27, members of the presidential guard staged a coup d'etat in Niger, arresting the country's current president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Omar Tchiani announces the seizure of power in the country, July 28, 2023

The very next day, Friday, July 28, General Omar Tchiani announced on state television that the President would be removed and all state structures in the country dissolved.

Tchiani announced himself as the head of the transitional council that would take power in the country.