Algerian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf has announced that his country is proposing a six-month transition phase led by a civilian in order to address the political problem in the Republic of Niger.
According to Reuters’ Attaf, who recently travelled throughout West African governments, said, “Most of the countries we have talked to are against military intervention to end the crisis.”
Abdourahamane Tchiani, formerly the head of Niger’s presidential guard, launched a military coup on July 26 that toppled the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
After threatening to keep all options open for a peaceful resolution of the situation, ECOWAS leaders have activated a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
After NATO’s participation in Libya in 2011 during the revolt against longstanding leader Muammar Gaddafi, Algeria made it clear that it was opposed to military engagement.
Attaf claimed that representatives from Algeria had spoken to the Niger military leader three times since the coup and that the leader is seeking a transitional phase of up to three years.
Without going into detail, Algeria announced it will convene a conference on development in the Sahel region and seek a United Nations meeting to restore constitutional order.
State media in Algeria claimed last week that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had vetoed French plans for a military intervention in Niger, but the French government refuted Algeria’s claims.
