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Niger's Junta Says It Will Hand Over Power After 3 Years

General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of the Niger Republic junta, says that the army will hand over power to a civilian government within the next three years.

He also says in a month's time, the junta will form a committee to begin to work on a new constitution of the country.

Tchiani said this in a nationwide address on national television shortly after meeting with an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation led by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The ECOWAS delegation also met ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. He has been held with his family at the president's official residence since the coup, with growing international concern over his conditions in detention.

The visit came after ECOWAS military chiefs announced they were ready to intervene to reinstate the ousted president.

ECOWAS has agreed to activate a "standby force" as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.

Military-appointed prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, has told The New York Times that Bazoum will not be harmed.

On the streets of the capital on August 19, many residents said they're preparing to fight back against an ECOWAS military intervention. Thousands of people in Niamey lined up outside the main stadium to register as volunteers or fighters, and to help with other needs in case the military government requires support.

Premium Times/screenshot

Niger’s junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

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