Niger says it ‘was surprised to read it had accepted Algeria’s mediation offer

DOUALA, Cameroon

Niger's military authorities denied that they accepted a six-month transition period that was proposed by Algeria, according to the Foreign Ministry.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad was surprised to read on social networks and in certain media a communiqué from the Algerian government stating that Niger had accepted Algeria's mediation, which proposed a six-month transition to the military," said a statement that was read on state television.

It said the duration of the transition would be determined by a "national forum."

That came two days after the Algerian government said it received notification from the Niger Foreign Ministry of its acceptance of mediation to promote a political solution to the crisis in Niger within the framework of the settlement plan presented by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, according to the Algeria Press Service (APS / Service) agency on Monday, citing the Algerian foreign minister.

Since coming to power after the military junta overthrew Mohamed Bazoum in July, soldiers united in the Conseil National for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), have repeatedly warned foreign powers and the international community against interfering in Niger's sovereignty.

"Clearly, this Algerian attempt of mediation will produce nothing, being contested on both sides and above all unsolicited," Regis Hounkpe, a geopolitics observer from Benin and Executive Director of Interglobe Conseils, an international company specializing in international cooperation, political communication and geopolitics, told Anadolu.

As a proponent of "African solutions for African crises," Hounkpe believes the Algerian proposal has substance, but mediation must be accepted by all parties, namely the de facto authorities, Bazoum's camp, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc and possibly the African Union.

He believes the national forum could be a good start because Niger had previously been fractured.

The urgent need

"This was not the case under President Bazoum. It's the political situation created by the military coup that has generated divisions and run the risk of security, political and territorial instability," said Hounkpe.

Regional and international calls are also persistent for the release of Bazoum, who is still being held by the coup plotters.

Even mediation by ECOWAS failed to secure his release.

"The urgent need is for the release of President Bazoum and his family, a short transition accepted by all parties, and the security of a country increasingly affected by terrorism," said Hounkpe.

Gilles Yabi, political analyst and president of the West African citizen think tank, Wathi, told Anadolu that Algeria's mediation offer is "positive," even if the transition period had not been accepted.

About the national forum, he remains convinced that the junta's reasons for seizing power remain unconvincing and are not driven by a concern for democracy.

"What is urgent is to get out of a situation of impasse that has lasted for two months, with, let's not forget, a president and his wife and son still guarded and the absence of any immediate perspective," he said.