Togo/Niger : Agreement on the Content and Timing of the Transition
The Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, held talks in Niamey and announced that an agreement on the content and timing of the transition in Niger has been reached with the Prime Minister of Niger and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Dussey stated that they would present these conclusions to the mediating heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for review.
ECOWAS recently decided to consider easing sanctions against Niger, conditional on the establishment of a « short transition » before the return of civilians to power. A committee, consisting of the presidents of Benin, Togo, and Sierra Leone, was formed to negotiate with the Nigerien military regime and define the commitments to be met.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the Nigerien military regime, had already stated in August that the transition would not exceed three years and would be established through an inclusive national dialogue.
In response, ECOWAS announced the suspension of Niger from all its decision-making bodies until the restoration of constitutional order in the country, thus recognizing the overthrow of the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, by the military coup.
