The leader of the Niger coup has pledged to restore democracy to the West African country in three years.
After meeting with mediators from the West African regional organization Ecowas in the nation’s capital, Niamey, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani made the declaration.
If negotiations break down, Ecowas has vowed to use military force to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
Food prices have increased as a result of lorry drivers being unable to transport supplies for weeks.
Sanctions are designed to knock us to our knees and degrade us, not to find a solution, according to Gen. Tchiani.
Hundreds of men showed up at a stadium in Niamey on Saturday to sign up for a volunteer force in case of invasion, but the registration process was halted due to crowding, according to the Reuters news agency.
Regional efforts to reverse the coup have been backed by the US and France, which both have military bases in Niger. These bases are part of efforts to tackle jihadist groups in the wider Sahel region.
The junta leader, who headed the presidential guard before seizing power on 26 July, said military intervention could worsen the Islamist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
“They seem ignorant to the fact that it is in large part thanks to the professionalism and valor of the defence and security forces of Niger that Niger has remained a barrier preventing terrorist hordes from destabilising the whole region,” he said.
The coup mirrors similar recent takeovers in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.
And the influence of Russia in the wider Sahel region is also growing through its mercenary group Wagner.
Gen Tchiani did not give details about the handover of power but said the principles for the transition would be decided within 30 days at a “dialogue” hosted by the coup leaders.
Ecowas has not yet commented on the announcement except to say that during the visit on Saturday, mediators also met Mr. Bazoum, who has been in detention with his wife and son since the coup.
Their delegation was led by former Nigerian military leader Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and also included Nigeria’s most senior Muslim leader, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III.
He wields huge influence in Niger, part of which used to be in the Sokoto Caliphate, a powerful kingdom before colonial rule.
Saturday’s meeting was the first between leaders of the junta and Ecowas.
