Niger denies accepting Algeria’s mediation offer

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) – Niger’s military authorities have denied that they accepted a six-month transition period that had been 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 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 the media.

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.