Niger coup makers have rejected the calls of the Economic Community of West African States to return power to the ousted democratic leader Mohammed Bazoum.

According to the leader of the coup and the Interim leader of Niger, Abdourahmane Tchiani, the so called economic restrictions imposed on the people of Niger by West African Nations, are “illegal” and “inhumane,” and further called on all Nigeriens to prepare for national defense.

General Tchiani’s comments were prompted by the convergence of ECOWAS defense and military hierarchies in Nigeria, to discuss the situation in Niger.

After the coup took place on August 26, 2023, the ECOWAS has been a leading voice against it. The group has imposed series of economic penalties on the nation and threatened that, they might be compelled to use force to restore order in Niamey, if Mohammed Bazoum is not reinstated by August 6, 2023. The West African bloc further sent a delegation to Niamey to have talks with the Military leaders.

However, General Abdourahmane Tchiani looks determined to resist any use of force by the ECOWAS bloc.

The self-declared leader declared that the military “rejects these sanctions altogether and refuses to give in to any threats, wherever they come from. We refuse any interference in the internal affairs of Niger.”

“We, therefore, call on the people of Niger as a whole and their unity to defeat all those who want to inflict unspeakable suffering on our hard-working populations and destabilise our country,” he added.

According to Tchiani, challenging times and would need time to recover as soon as possible. He noted that, the ECOWAS imposed sanctions are “unfair, unlawful, inhuman, and unprecedented.” He further asserted that, individuals who disagree with him being the leader of the nation now, gives nothing to the society by their “hostile and radical” behaviours.

In the past three years, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, have been the member state of the ECOWAS bloc that have experienced military coups. Niger’s coup arrived at a period that, the West African region has been plummeted with three major democratic overthrown, which highlights how shaken the pillar of democracy is, in West Africa and the Africa continent as a whole.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, addressed Niger’s situation and averred that, in as much as the use of force remains the final resolution on the table, the Bloc must be “ prepared for the eventuality.”

“There is a need to demonstrate that we can not only bark but can bite,” he said.

In an effort to force the Military leader from power, Nigeria has halted its electricity to Niger, State utility documents revealed.

“The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications. Our decisions will send a strong message about our commitment to democracy, our intolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, and our dedication to regional stability.”
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s chief of defence and chairman of the ECOWAS defence chiefs

Further evidence of the increasing pressure on the military came with the World Bank’s announcement that it would halt payments to Niger until further notice.

Tchiani has received support from military-backed administrations in the area despite ECOWAS’s strong stance, with Mali and Burkina Faso declaring that any foreign action in Niger will be viewed as a proclamation of war towards them as well.

In the midst of this, Russia, has called for “urgent national dialogue” in Niger. On Wednesday, the Kremlin issued a warning that making interference measures “will not help ease tensions or calm the domestic situation.”