Talks between ECOWAS and Niger military junta fail
Ba Thi, VOV Cairo -
(VOVWORLD) - The dialogue on Sunday in Niamey between representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Niger military junta fell into a stalemate, making the atmosphere more tense with higher risks of an armed conflict in Niger.
 ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defense staff meet in Ghana on August 17, 2023, on the deployment of its standby force in Niger. (Photo: Reuters)
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An ECOWAS official said the meeting did not achieve any significant results because both sides had very different requirements and conditions. Last night, the ECOWAS delegation, led by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar, left Niger for Nigeria.
ECOWAS delegates demanded that the Niger military junta immediately release and restore full power to ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum.
Meanwhile, the junta asked West African countries to recognize the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland and the new government that the coup established in Niger, and lift all sanctions imposed on Niger in reference to the current crisis.
Both sides refused to respond to the other's request, pushing the dialogue to a deadlock and an end.
Notably, the junta expressed concern at the dialogue that the French government would launch a military attack on Niger to reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Ba Thi, VOV Cairo