Niger Coup Leaders Promise to Restore 'Civilian' Rule Within Three Years

The coup leaders in Niger, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, who ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, announced on Saturday night that they would return power to civilian rule within three years. According to Agence France-Presse, more details of this 'power transition plan' have yet to be revealed, but the coup leader stated that the 'framework for the transition of power' would be determined within the next 30 days. Tiani made this statement after his first meeting with a regional delegation seeking to resolve the crisis in this West African country. The delegation, sent by ECOWAS and headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former head of state of Nigeria, also met separately with the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an order on August 10 for the deployment of a 'standby force' to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the coup leaders have resisted this decision and focused on consolidating their power. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, announced on Saturday that Kathleen Fitz Gibbon, the new U.S. ambassador to Niger, has also arrived in the capital. The United States has not had an ambassador in the country for nearly two years. According to Miller, Fitz Gibbon's focus will be on supporting a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional governance in Niger and ensures the immediate release of Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained. The State Department spokesperson stated that the new ambassador's arrival in Niger does not reflect a change in U.S. policy. Meanwhile, reports indicate a worsening humanitarian situation in Niger, with millions facing food insecurity and displacement. Western countries had previously supported Niger against jihadist group insurgencies, but the coup leaders have disrupted such efforts, leading to an expansion of militant activities. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and imprisoned by the military on July 26, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the commander of the presidential guard, has declared himself the leader of the country. Niger is a major uranium producer, and Bazoum was one of the African allies of Western countries in the fight against Islamic extremists in West Africa. Recently, the military government of Niger criticized ECOWAS for sanctioning the country and announced that it would put the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on trial for 'high treason.' According to France 24, the military government condemned the 'illegal, inhumane, and humiliating' sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in a televised statement.