Coup in Niger: Nigerien civilians ready to be mobilized, an ECOWAS delegation in Niamey

RECAP' “20 Minutes” updates you every evening on the progress of the conflict in Niger

Volunteers gather near the General Seyni Kountche stadium in Niamey on August 19, 2023, responding to the call of several organizations to be registered as civilian auxiliaries to potentially mobilize in support of the armed forces. — AFP

• Soldiers staged a coup in Niger and ousted the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, on July 26. In the process, General Abdourahamane Tiani proclaimed himself Head of State.
• Since then, West African countries have been divided between military regimes supporting the putsch and those calling for the restoration of constitutional order. As for France, like its partners, it does not recognize the regime set up in Niamey by the military, including the government presented on August 10 and partly composed of civilians.
• Who did what ? Who said what? And who supports whom and why? You will know everything about the progress of this crisis which is shaking Niger every evening on 20minutes.fr

You missed; the latest developments on the crisis in Niger? 20 Minutestakes stock for you every evening, 20 hours. Who did what? Who said what? Where are we there? The answer below.

Fact of the day

On Friday, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, at peace and to security of ECOWAS, Abdel-Fatau Musah had not chewed these words. “We are ready to intervene as soon as the order is given. The day of the operation was also fixed.” Facing a possible military intervention, the new Nigerien regime remains inflexible for the moment.

On Saturday morning, thousands of volunteers gathered around the Seyni Kountché stadium, in the city center of the capital, responding to a call from several organizations to be registered on lists as potentially mobilized civilian auxiliaries within the coup armed forces in the event of military intervention by ECOWAS.

Figure of the day< /h2>

27. This is the number of people who have lost their lives in heavy rains that have hit Niger since July, according to official figures released on Saturday. Because coup or not, the rainy season is raging in Niger.

By August 18, flooding had caused the death of 27 people throughout the country and left 30 injured according to figures from the Ministry of Humanitarian Action. Some 71,136 people (i.e. 8,458 households) are affected, reports the ministry this Saturday with in particular 6,530 houses that have collapsed.

Sentence of the day

Nothing will happen to [President Mohamed Bazoum] because we have no tradition of violence in Niger”

These are the words of the new Prime Minister of the Niger military government Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine. The latter returned Friday evening in an interview with the New York Times on the intentions of the new Nigerian executive.

Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine also claims that the Nigerian soldiers who appointed him have “no intention” to collaborate with Russia, nor with the mercenaries of the Wagner group.

Asked on the fate of Mohamed Bazoum who worries the community; International, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine replies that “nothing will happen to him” However, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu warned in a meeting Thursday with European Council President Charles Michel, and in remarks reported Friday by an EU official, “ ;the conditions of detention of President Bazoum are deteriorating. Any further deterioration in his state of health will have serious consequences.”

Trend of the day

A delegation from ECOWAS arrived this Saturday at Niamey to try to find a diplomatic solution to; this crisis. This delegation, which landed at midday in the capital, is led by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, according to the communication unit of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP) which took power in Niger.< /p>

According to a source close to ECOWAS, this delegation wishes to convey “a message of firmness” to military personnel; Niamey and meet President Bazoum, who is still being held prisoner.

OUR FILE ON NIGER

On Friday, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, in Niamey, peace and to security of the regional organization, Abdel-Fatau Musah had announced that the purpose of this mission was to “continue to follow the peaceful path to restore constitutional order.” The diplomatic channel is therefore always favored by ECOWAS, which has however indicated Friday night be ready to use force to restore constitutional order in Niger.