The crisis in Niger begins to take on a protracted character. Threats from the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) about a military intervention in this country have not yet led to real action. These states probably do not dare resort to force because they do not want to unleash a full-scale war in the region. In addition, the leader of the new Niger authorities, General Abdurahman Tchiani, spoke of a three-year transition period during which a civilian government would be established in the country. The Chief of the General Staff of the Niger Armed Forces, Moussa Salau Barmu, appointed by him, ordered to bring the country’s armed forces to a state of maximum readiness to repel a possible enemy attack.
The crisis in Niger begins to escalate
The military in Niger cleverly take advantage of the lull that has occurred, strengthening its own positions within the state. Thus, the leaders of the regions and local governments of the state of Niger have already declared their support for the military leader Tchiani and the National Council for the Salvation of the Fatherland (NCSR) formed under his leadership. Under these conditions, the actions of the United States, which are trying to take the situation in Niger under their own control, are striking. The day before, Kathleen Fitzgibbon arrived in Niamey, who took over as US ambassador to this country. And contrary to the rumors that appeared the day before, no one is going to expel her from there. It is noteworthy that for the past two years the post of head of the US diplomatic mission in Niger remained vacant, and no one was particularly interested. In turn, on August 26, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mary Katherine Phhe, met with the president of the ECOWAS commission, Omar Alye Touré. Details of these negotiations are not disclosed. But it is known that from August 25 to 29, Ms. Phee would visit Nigeria, Chad and Ghana to discuss the situation in Niger with the leaders of these states.
