Algeria is concerned about the political crisis unfolding in its neighboring country, Niger. According to Reuters, Algeria is proposing a 6-month transition led by a civilian to address the situation.
Algeria is putting forth an initiative to resolve the political crisis in neighboring Niger with a six-month transition period led by a civilian, stated the Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters. Algeria is also calling for the release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his reinstatement as the legitimate President of Niger. Attaf, who recently toured West African states, mentioned that “most of the countries we spoke to are opposed to a military intervention to end the crisis.”
Indeed, the heads of West African armies from ECOWAS met in Ghana last week to discuss a potential military intervention in Niger, following the takeover by members of the presidential guard last month, leading to a junta. Algeria has repeatedly expressed its opposition to any military intervention, citing the chaos that followed NATO’s action in Libya in 2011 during the uprising against longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Since the coup, Algerian officials have engaged in three discussions with the Nigérien military leader, who is seeking a transition period that could extend up to three years, Attaf indicated. As part of its initiative, Algeria would seek to organize a United Nations conference to restore constitutional order, provide guarantees for all parties involved in the crisis, and host a conference on development in the Sahel region, Attaf stated without providing further details.
