Niger’s military junta has revoked the mandates of four of its diplomatic representatives in France, Nigeria, Togo, and the United States, following a palace coup last week. The self-appointed government, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, announced on Thursday evening that the authority of these diplomats had been “terminated”.
General Tchiani, who has long served as the head of the presidential guard, and his loyal forces, arrested President Mohamed Bazoum and other government officials, seizing power in the West African country last week. However, some diplomats openly supported the deposed president, leading to the revocation of their mandates.
Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, Niger’s ambassador in Washington, voiced his opposition to the junta’s actions. He called on them to “come to reason” and recognize that their coup would not succeed. Liman-Tinguiri also urged the junta to prevent unnecessary suffering for the people and return power to Bazoum, whom he considers the legitimate head of state.
President Bazoum even penned an article in The Washington Post, appealing to the US government for intervention. He portrayed Niger, with him in power, as the last stronghold against Russian influence in the Sahel region. This plea for help highlights the high stakes involved in the power struggle in Niger.
The putschists are allegedly playing on local anti-Western sentiment and have announced their intention to scrap agreements with the US and France. These agreements allow the two nations to maintain a total of 2,500 troops in Niger. This move by the junta raises concerns about the stability and security of the region, given Niger’s rich mineral resources and significant uranium reserves.
Moreover, the military junta has issued warnings against any form of aggression by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Last week, ECOWAS issued an ultimatum, demanding that Bazoum be reinstated and warning that member states might resort to the use of force if their demands are not met. As a result, some ECOWAS members, including Niger, had their participation suspended.
The junta, however, sees neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, which also faced penalties from ECOWAS, as friendly nations. This perspective suggests that the military rulers are seeking support from neighboring countries that have faced similar challenges and consequences from the regional bloc.
In an effort to resolve the crisis, an ECOWAS delegation visited Niger’s capital, Niamey, this week for negotiations. However, according to local media reports, the talks failed on Thursday. This failure to reach a peaceful resolution further escalates the tension and uncertainty surrounding Niger’s political future.
These developments in Niger have garnered international attention and concern. The power struggle between the military junta and the deposed president has the potential to have far-reaching consequences for the country, the region, and international relations. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether diplomatic efforts or interventions will be pursued to restore stability and democratic governance in Niger.
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