Niger Military Leaders To ECOWAS: We’re Determined To Defend Our Homeland

The Niger Republic military officers that staged a coup against the former President of the country, Mohammed Bazoum, have warned the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government to stay off the internal affairs of the people of Niger Republic.

The Nigerien Junta particularly warned the ECOWAS leaders against any military intervention, stressing that they are determined to defend their homeland with the last drop of their blood.

The Nigerien military specifically warned about the likely consequences that will flow from any foreign military intervention, adding that any confrontation as being proposed by certain dignitaries will end in nothing but massacre of the people and create chaos.

This was as they also denounced the 7-day ultimatum and order issued by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, directing the release and reinstatement of Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and Government of Niger Republic.

ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary Summit on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, declared that it only recognised Bazoum as the legitimate President of Niger Republic and also reiterated its earlier resolution to restore democratic governance in Niger.

The ECOWAS leaders said; “Such measures may include the use of force. To this effect, the Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,” the ECOWAS leaders said in a communique read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray on the extraordinary Summit on the ‘Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger.

Leader of the Republic of Niger military Junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who was the head of the Nigerien Presidential Guard since 2011, ceased power, arrested and detained President Bazoum.

Tchiani thereafter declared himself as the new leader and President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland of Niger Republic.

While rejecting the position of the ECOWAS leaders, the Niger’s military leaders in a statement read on the Niger national television by its spokesperson, Col. Amadou Abdramane warned against any military intervention.

Col. Abdramane said; “The objective of the ECOWAS meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain Western countries.”

…Sourced from Aljazeera Television