Negotiations between ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the military regime resulting from the coup in Niger have stalled. The latter seemed insensitive, Tuesday, August 8, to the offers of negotiations formulated in order to avoid the possible military intervention to restore constitutional order.

Because the junta did not respond to the seven-day ultimatum set by ECOWAS ordering the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown by a coup on July 26. But after its expiration on Sunday evening, the intergovernmental organization did not carry out its threat to intervene militarily, ECOWAS obviously wishing to favor the path of dialogue.

Discussions that are not about to be started, the military in power in Niamey having made it known that they could not welcome a delegation from the regional organization for reasons of “security”. “The current context of anger and revolt of the populations following the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS does not allow to welcome the said delegation in the serenity and security required”, indicates a letter from the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed Monday to ECOWAS.

The letter stresses that the “postponement” of the mission scheduled for Tuesday “proves necessary […] for obvious security reasons, in this atmosphere of threat of aggression against Niger”.

Another sign of distrust from the new Nigerien leaders: the appointment on Monday evening of a civilian Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, which appears to be the first step towards the appointment of a transitional government.

ECOWAS is not the only one to have tried to discuss with the military. The United States, a privileged partner with France in the fight against the jihadist groups which undermine this country and a large part of the Sahel region, have also attempted dialogue. The number two of American diplomacy, Victoria Nuland, came to Niamey on Monday to meet the perpetrators of the coup, a meeting which was not attended by General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger’s new strongman. Nor has she met President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest in Niamey since his fall nearly two weeks ago.

The discussions in which the new chief of staff of the army, General Moussa Salaou Barmou participated, “were extremely frank and at times quite difficult”, acknowledged the diplomat. She said she offered “many options” to end the coup, adding, “I wouldn’t say that offer was considered in any way.” »

“Certainly diplomacy is the preferable way to resolve this situation,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told RFI.

Wagner offers a catalog of services to struggling African regimes. In Mali and the Central African Republic, it protects the power in place, offers military training, even legal advice to rewrite the mining code or the Constitution. In exchange, he practices predation and pays himself on local resources, especially minerals.

From Niamey, Antony Blinken’s deputy said that “the people who made this decision [of the coup in Niger] understand very well the risks to their sovereignty posed by an invitation from Wagner”.

France, a former colonial power regularly vilified during protests in West Africa, said on Tuesday that it supported “the efforts of countries in the region to restore democracy” in Niger, but now appears “in withdrawal”.

The new regime can also count on the support of its supporters in Niamey, 30,000 of whom gathered in a stadium on Sunday to show their support, waving Russian flags and booing France and ECOWAS.