Algeria says Niger accepted its mediation offer to restore constitutional order

ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) – Algeria said Monday that the military administration in Niger has accepted its offer of mediation to restore constitutional order in the West African country.

“The Algerian government received from Niger’s Foreign Ministry an official correspondence stating the acceptance of Algeria’s mediation aimed at developing a political solution to the existing crisis in this brotherly country,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said Niger’s acceptance of its offer “enhances the option of a political solution to the crisis and paves the way for providing the necessary conditions to facilitate an end of this crisis by peaceful means.”

According to the statement, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune assigned Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf to travel to the Nigerien capital, Niamey, to start initial discussions with relevant parties on applying the Algerian initiative.

Algeria had announced in late August that it had proposed a six-month transitional period led by a civilian to solve the crisis in Niger.

Niger was plunged into turmoil on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, led a military intervention that ousted the widely unpopular President Mohamed Bazoum.

Bazoum had been elected in 2021 in Niger’s first democratic power transition since it gained independence from French colonial rule in 1960. However, allied closely with France and other Western states, Bazoum was resented deeply for failing to provide security and checking corruption.

Algeria opposes military intervention in Niger and has campaigned against any military action in the West African country.