Algeria proposes plan to resolve Niger crisis

Algeria has unveiled the proposition of an initiative to resolve the political crisis in Niger, which consists of a 6-month transition period to restore democratic systems.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Ahmed Attaf, spoke at a press conference in Algiers last week, on Tuesday, 22nd August, after meeting leaders of the West African bloc ECOWAS, Reuters reports.

The foreign minister outlined the plan to “determine a period of time for six months, to allow the opportunity to determine a political solution, to guarantee the return to the systems of democracy in Niger.”

Read: Algeria makes first move to intervene in Niger stand off 

In Accra, Ghana, members of the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) met to discuss peaceful solutions to the conflict in Niger.

Algeria has maintained its opposition against military intervention, pointing to the chaos that followed NATO action in Libya in 2011 during its uprising against longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Crisis struck out in Niger on the 26th July, when a former commander of the presidential guard, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, seized power and deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

Also Read: Niger: Macron on board with ECOWAS’ intervention plan

As part of the initiative, Algeria would be seeking a United Nations conference to restore constitutional order, propose guarantees for all sides in the crisis and host a conference on development in the Sahel region.

Source: Reuters/Anadolu Agency