"Failed Negotiation Leads to Niger Junta's Decision to Recall Ambassador from Nigeria"

The military junta, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani in the Republic of Niger, is planning to recall the Nigerien Ambassador to Nigeria. This decision comes after the junta failed to reach an agreement with the delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the restoration of democracy in Niger.

In addition to recalling the Nigerien Ambassador to Nigeria, the junta also intends to recall ambassadors to Togo, the United States, and France. Their aim is to expel French and US troops from the country, and they have declared an end to all Memorandum of Understanding between France and Niger.

Defence sources with knowledge of the ongoing meeting in the capital, Niamey, confirmed this development on Friday morning. According to one defence source, the negotiations have failed, leading to the junta's decision to recall the ambassadors.

The military junta, led by General Tchiani, took power on July 26, 2023, after detaining the former President, Mohamed Bazoum, in a palace coup. Tchiani subsequently declared himself the Head of State.

In an attempt to resolve the political crisis in Niger, ECOWAS dispatched two missions abroad. The first delegation, led by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), engaged with the coupists and other parties involved in the Nigerien impasse in Niamey. The second delegation, led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, engaged with the leaders of Libya and Algeria regarding the Niger crisis.

The ECOWAS' Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, charged both teams with the mandate to quickly resolve the crisis for the sake of African peace and development. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of engaging all stakeholders to find an amicable resolution rather than adopting the geopolitical positions of other nations.

General Abubakar, speaking on behalf of the first delegation, stated that their task was to convey the displeasure of the regional leaders with the developments in Niger to the coup leaders. They were also tasked with urging the coupists to relinquish power and return it to an elected President.

Ambassador Kingibe's mission to Libya and Algeria aimed to build solidarity and cooperation with the neighboring countries to find a diplomatic solution and avoid military intervention.

Both delegations expressed optimism about the outcome of their assignments and hoped to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Niger.