The leader of the mutineers who took power in Niger, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has stated that his country does not want to go to war, but they are prepared to defend themselves if necessary. He added that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries do not realize that Niger has become the key to containing the region from destabilization.
The general clarified that the sanctions imposed against his country are only aimed to put pressure on the rebels and not at finding a solution to the current situation. The rebels do not seek to seize power but to find a solution that caters to the interests of the people.
This was revealed during a meeting between Gen. Tchiani and an ECOWAS delegation that arrived in the capital of Niger to evaluate the conditions of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum’s detention. ECOWAS had previously suspended all financial aid to Niger, frozen the rebels’ assets, and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country following the coup on July 26.
