Tinubu wants military junta to return Niger to democratic rule in 9 month

On Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as the head of the West African ECOWAS bloc, urged that the new government in Niger make the same nine-month transition back to democracy as Nigeria did in the 1990s after military rule.

After troops removed President Mohamed Bazoum from office on July 26, the Economic Community of West African States imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened military action if negotiations to restore civilian authority failed.

As tensions rise with Niger’s former colonial power, the military has dug in, declaring that they seek a three-year transition time to restore constitutional order and ordering police to deport France’s representative.

According to Tinubu, Nigeria returned to civilian government in 1999 following a nine-month transition period established by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former military head of state who has also led delegations to meet with the Niger rulers.

“The president sees no reason why such can not be replicated in Niger, if Niger’s military authorities are sincere,” the statement said.

But Tinubu’s statement said there would be no relief from sanctions imposed by ECOWAS until the regime made “positive adjustments”.

“The soldiers’ action is unacceptable. The earlier they make positive adjustments, the quicker we will dial back the sanctions to alleviate the sufferings we are seeing in Niger,” it said.