Title: Hassoumi Massoudou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger, speaks on the security and political situation in the country
Introduction :
In an exclusive interview with RFI and France 24, Hassoumi Massoudou, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Niger, addressed the critical security and political situation in the country. He stressed that although the possibility of a military intervention by ECOWAS is still on the agenda, it is in no way a war against Niger. Massoudou also referred to ongoing negotiations with the military regime and ruled out the possibility of a transition.
Deterioration of the security situation and avenues for resolution:
The Minister underlines his concern over the deterioration of the security situation in Niger in recent weeks. Despite ongoing negotiations with the junta, Massoudou says they have yielded no concrete results so far. He insists on the need for the junta to step down and release President Mohamed Bazoum so that he can resume his duties. According to Massoudou, everything is negotiable, but a transition would be an acceptance of the coup and therefore unacceptable. He thus calls for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, rather than recourse to violence.
The position of ECOWAS and the possibility of military intervention:
The Minister acknowledges that military intervention by ECOWAS is still an option on the table, but insists that this is in no way a war against Niger. According to him, it would rather be an intervention aimed at restoring constitutional order and supporting the return of President Bazoum to power. Massoudou stresses that this intervention must be carried out responsibly, in order to minimize civilian casualties and ensure a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.
The need for a political resolution:
Minister Massoudou highlights the need for a political resolution to end the crisis in Niger. He stresses that dialogue and negotiation remain the best means of achieving a peaceful and lasting solution. He therefore calls on all the parties concerned to show political will and to seek compromises for the good of the country and its people.
Conclusion :
In this interview, Hassoumi Massoudou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger, presented his vision of the security and political situation in the country. He insists on the need for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, through dialogue and negotiation. While acknowledging the possibility of a military intervention by ECOWAS, he stresses that this is in no way a war against Niger, but rather an intervention aimed at restoring constitutional order.