The ruling military council in Niger has contradicted the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the acceptance of Algerian mediation. The Nigerien military council asserted that only a “comprehensive national forum” can determine the duration of the transitional period.
This comes after Algeria announced that Niamey had agreed to its initiative to find a political solution in the country following the coup in July of the previous year.
The Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday evening that Niamey did not accept the proposed six-month deadline for the Algerian initiative and was surprised by the Algerian Foreign Ministry’s statement indicating its acceptance of the mentioned initiative.
The Ministry added that the Nigerien Foreign Minister met with his Algerian counterpart in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings last September. During the meeting, they discussed the Algerian initiative and made it clear that the duration of the transitional phase in Niger is determined through national dialogue.
The Ministry emphasized its rejection of what was stated in the Algerian statement while expressing its desire to maintain friendly and brotherly relations with Algeria, as stated in the statement.