Niger’s new prime minister expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached with West Africa’s regional bloc Ecowas, after the regional group took a staunch stance against the country’s coup.
Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, who had just been appointed by the junta, was making his public debut at a press conference in the nation’s capital, Niamey.
“We have not stopped contacts with Ecowas, we are continuing contacts. We have good hopes of reaching an agreement in the coming days,” he told journalists on Monday.
After President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a coup on July 26, the regional bloc has threatened to use force to reinstate civilian rule.
Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the coup leader declared himself the new ruler and subsequently detained Mr. Bazoum and his family.
Insisting that “every preparation has been taken,” Mr. Lamine Zeine affirmed that they would defend themselves in the event of an attack.
He added that talks for the departure of French troops from the nation were in progress. There are roughly 1,500 French soldiers in Niger, some of whom are stationed at an air base close to the capital.
The junta is angry with France for refusing to acknowledge the Niamey coup leaders and for only recognizing Mr. Bazoum’s administration as the legitimate government.
The military government responded by ordering the French ambassador to leave, and hundreds of coup supporters have been protesting against his continued presence.
Source-BBC
