Niger/Mediation: Transition timetable expected by January 2024

The lines are gradually moving in the mediation between the transitional authorities in Niger and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The content of the transition period was agreed at a working session in Niger.

This information was made public on Thursday 14 December by the Togolese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor Robert Dussey, following a working session with the head of the transitional government, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, and the Niger Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangare.

According to Professor Robert Dussey, agreement has been reached on the content and timing of the transition in Niger.

According to him, the next step would be to present this content to the heads of state appointed by ECOWAS as mediators, in particular Presidents Faure GNASSINGBE of Togo and General Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, and then to the ECOWAS Commission.

According to Minister Robert Dussey, the content will probably be finalised in January in Niger, in the presence of his Sierra Leonean counterpart, in order to obtain the transition timetable expected by ECOWAS.

It should be remembered that ECOWAS has asked the authorities in Niamey for a short transition.

This is one of the conditions imposed in order to ease the sanctions imposed on the country since the coup d’état of 26 July 2023.

Titi Keita