Algeria has put forward a new plan to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Niger, their neighboring country. Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf announced this proposal on Tuesday, suggesting a six-month transition period led by a civilian leader. The plan comes in the wake of a power grab by the presidential guard in Niger, resulting in the establishment of a junta.
Attaf, who recently visited various West African nations, shared that during his discussions, most countries expressed opposition to using military force to quell the crisis. This stance stands in contrast to the recent meeting of West African army chiefs from the ECOWAS bloc in Ghana. There, the possibility of a military intervention in Niger was debated due to the junta’s rise to power.
Algeria has consistently voiced its objection to military intervention, citing the tumultuous aftermath of NATO’s involvement in Libya back in 2011. The Libyan uprising against longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi led to chaos, a situation Algeria aims to avoid.
Foreign Minister Attaf revealed that Algerian officials have engaged with the Niger military leader on three occasions since the coup. The military leader is reportedly seeking a transitional period lasting up to three years.
Algeria’s initiative involves several components: they plan to propose a United Nations conference to reinstate constitutional order, suggest guarantees for all parties involved in the crisis, and host a conference focused on the development of the Sahel region. However, the details of these plans remain unspecified.
Adding to the complexity, Algerian state television announced that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune refused France’s request for military intervention in Niger. France, on the other hand, denied having made such a request in the first place.
The situation surrounding the coup remains highly uncertain, with conflicting details emerging. Even ECOWAS appears unsure about the appropriate course of action. As tensions persist, there is hope that the situation can be resolved without escalating into a full-blown conflict between Niger and ECOWAS.
