By Smart Emmanuel, ABUJA
The head of Niger’s new military regime, General Abdourahamane Tiani says his country will return to civil rule within the next three years, “our ambition is not to confiscate power,” he said.
Speaking in a 12-minute televised broadcast on Saturday, Tiani warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which is planning to carry out an attack on his country to think twice, saying such attacks would not be a walkover for them.
“ECOWAS is getting ready to attack Niger by setting up an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army,” he said.
The military leader denounced the sanctions on his country by ECOWAS since the coup, describing them as “illegal” and “inhuman.”
In the broadcast, Tiani also announced a 30-day “national dialogue” that will lead to “concrete proposals” to lay the foundation for “a new constitutional life”.
His broadcast coincided with a visit by the ECOWAS delegation to the country for a final push before a decision on military action.
The ECOWAS delegation led by former Nigerian military leader, Abdulsalami Abubakar, met separately with Tiani, and former Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum.