Niger’s new military ruler warns against foreign meddling, urges population to defend the country
- Self-declared Niger leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani rejects sanctions, external pressure
- West African bloc ECOWAS considers military option to restore President Mohamed Bazoum
Niger’s new military ruler lashed out at neighbouring countries and the international community in a nationally televised speech Wednesday night, and he called on the population to be ready to defend the nation.
In one of few addresses to the West African country since seizing power from Niger’s democratically elected president a week ago, General Abdourahmane Tchiani warned against foreign meddling and military intervention against the coup.
“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,” Tchiani said.
Tchiani, who commands Niger’s presidential guard, also promised to create the conditions for a peaceful transition to elections following his ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum.
His speech comes amid rising regional tensions as the West African regional bloc ECOWAS threatens to use military force if Bazoum isn’t released from house arrest and reinstated by August 6. The bloc has imposed severe travel and economic sanctions.
The coup has been strongly condemned by Western countries, many of which saw Niger as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle jihadis linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group in Africa’s Sahel region. Russia and Western countries have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism.