Posted by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the military junta in the Niger Republic, has promised that none of the three Sahelian nations will apply for readmission to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Additionally, he declared that Mohammed Bazoum, the deposed president of the nation, who was taken prisoner during the July 26, 2023, coup, “will never” be freed by the junta.
Despite several attempts at reconciliation, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger said on January 27, 2024, that they would be leaving the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).
As part of the long-term objective of unifying the neighbors of West Africa inside a federation, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger suggested the formation of a confederation after their withdrawal.
During an interview on Monday in the capital city of Niamey, Gen. Tchiani reaffirmed his dedication to this position.
His words: “Food and medicine supplies were cut off just because we are members of the bloc.” Our finances have been frozen, and the power has also been turned off. Thus, in order to improve the life of our countrymen, we conferred with our allies in the Sahel about leaving the bloc.
“That we ought to leave the group that answers to the outside nations.” We would thus never rejoin the union and have revoked our membership from the bloc.
He went on to say that the nation is unconcerned about any negative effects on trade, security, and socioeconomic activity in the wake of its departure from ECOWAS.
“Is the world inside ECOWAS now that it’s a global village? Therefore, God will feed every person that He made.
“Bazoum would never be released by us. It would be detrimental to Nigerians if we released Bazoum, he said. It would be like stabbing ourselves in the gut.