Chad’s Military Leader Arrives in Niger for Talks Amidst Coup Crisis
Chad’s military leader and transitional president, Mahamat Idriss Déby, has arrived in Niger for talks with the leaders of a coup who have detained the country’s elected president, Mohamed Barzoum. This development comes after the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, gave Niger’s coup leaders a seven-day deadline to release Barzoum and restore him to power, warning them of potential consequences if they fail to comply.
ECOWAS has not ruled out military intervention by deploying troops to Niger. However, such a move could exacerbate tensions, leading to violence not only between Niger and ECOWAS forces but also among civilians divided in their support for or against the coup, according to analysts in Niger.
The presence of President Déby in Niger is significant as Chad is not a member of ECOWAS. Hence, Déby is viewed as a more neutral intermediary who can engage in discussions with the coup leaders.
In a national broadcast, coup spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane shared a communique alleging French involvement in planning military action in Niger. He claimed that a meeting took place at the headquarters of the Niger National Guard, where France sought political and military authorizations to conduct strikes on the presidential palace and free President Barzoum. The communique further alleged that Hassoumi Massaoudou, acting as prime minister, signed the document authorizing these actions.
ECOWAS has previously attempted, unsuccessfully, to restore democracies in countries where the military assumed power in recent years. The organization now faces a delicate situation in Niger, where the coup presents a significant challenge to democratic governance and stability.
In a new communique released by the coup leaders, it was claimed that a member of Barzoum’s government had signed a document allowing France to take military action in order to secure Barzoum’s freedom. The situation remains fluid, with developments unfolding rapidly.
