General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the Niger junta, has criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctions as unjustified.
Tchiani demanded that the Federal Government restore the electricity that had been cut off as part of the embargoes imposed on the coupists following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
He spoke after meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by former President General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).
He said the regional bloc’s economic sanctions were unnecessary and that they were intended to punish Niger’s “good people.”
Children and other patients, he claimed, were dying in hospitals due to a lack of electricity.
He claims that border closures make obtaining food, drugs, and other necessities difficult.
According to the Daily Trust, following the military takeover in Niger Republic, ECOWAS gave the junta a seven-day deadline to reinstate ousted President Bazoum.
Despite pressure from the organization and other countries, the country’s military leaders have refused to reintroduce Bazoum.
Tchiani claimed in his 12-minute speech that ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack Niger by establishing an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army.”
I reaffirm here that our ambition is not to confiscate power. I also reaffirm our readiness to engage in any dialogue, as long as it takes into account the orientations desired by the proud and resilient people of Niger, he added.
