The political stalemate in Niger Republic seems to be far from over as the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has rejected the plan by the military junta in the country to remain in power for three years before handing over power.
The junta led by Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani took power last month and has refused to relinquish power to deposed President Muhammed Bazoum despite pressure from the regional leaders.
In response to the insistence of the soldiers to stay put in power, the 15-country ECOWAS bloc has threatened the use of force if diplomacy failed.
Last week, the Chief of General Staff from the region met in Ghana where they restated their position to use force to reinstate Bazoum.
But in what some leaders in ECOWAS have described as a provocation, the military junta in the country said on Sunday they are not prepared to leave power very soon.
The General Tchiani-led coup plotters said they need at least three years to set in motion a transition government.
This is not acceptable, according to ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musa.
Musa during an interview with BBC described General Tchiani’s proposal as a plot to scuttle the ongoing peace efforts by the regional body to restore peace and stability to the country.
Last week, Ali Lamine Zeine, the recently appointed Prime Minister disclosed that the junta was ready for dialogue following weeks of stalemate as ECOWAS and other world leaders tried to find a solution to the political crisis in the landlocked country.
Meanwhile, watchers of what is going on in the country said the junta has further raised the stakes in their quest to entrench themselves in power despite external pressure to force them out.
