The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected Niger junta’s three-year power transition plan.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, revealed this during an interview with BBC on Sunday evening.

Recall that head of the military junta in Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani, stated in a televised broadcast on Sunday that the military will hand over power to government after three years and warned that any intervention by foreign forces would not be “a walk in the park.”

Tiani said: “Our ambition is not to confiscate power. The transition period will not exceed three years; meanwhile, political parties are urged to submit their vision for the transition within 30 days.

There’s availability for any dialogue, provided that it takes into account the aspirations of the people of Niger. However, any intervention will open Pandora box and will not be a walk in the park.”

However, ECOWAS Commissioner, Abdel-Fatau Musah, in an interview with BBC described   Tchiani’s proposal as just a smokescreen for dialogue and diplomacy.

Musah said: “ECOWAS is not accepting any prolonged transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand over in the shortest possible time. military aspect is very much on.

“The earlier they give power back to civilians and concentrate on their primary responsibility that is defending the territorial integrity of Niger, the better for them.”