Tchiani also said that the junta ‘will never’ release Niger’s ousted president, Mohammed Bazoum, who was taken hostage following a coup
By Kehinde Okeowo
Leader of the military junta in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani has vowed that his country, Mali and Burkina Faso, which recently pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) won’t seek re-admission into the regional body.
The three Sahel countries on January 27, 2024, announced their plans to withdraw their membership of ECOWAS, despite repeated efforts at reconciliation.
Following their withdrawal, the foreign ministers of the countries recommended the creation of a confederation as part of the long-term goal of uniting the West African neighbours within a federation.
Speaking recently during an interview with RTN news channel in the capital city of Niamey, Gen. Tchiani restated his commitment to the stance of the three nations.
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He also said that the junta ‘will never’ release Niger’s ousted president, Mohammed Bazoum, who was taken hostage following the July 26, 2023, coup in the country.
He said: “Just because we are members of the bloc, food and medicine supplies were cut off. Power was also cut off, and our funds have been frozen. So, we consulted our friends in the Sahel on exiting the bloc to better the lives of our citizens.
“That we should withdraw from the bloc that is answerable to the foreign countries. So, we have withdrawn our membership from the bloc and would never return to the union.”
He further stated that his country was not worried about the consequences that might arise in terms of security, trade, and socio-economic activities, following their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
“Now that the world is a global village, is the world within ECOWAS? So, God will feed every human He created.
“We would never release Bazoum. Setting Bazoum free is akin to stabbing ourselves in the stomach which would do harm to Nigeriens,” he added.