Photo Credit -AFP via Getty Images)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected the Niger junta’s proposal for a three-year transition to a democratic government. ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, stated in an interview with the BBC that the proposal was unacceptable and could lead to a military operation.

Meanwhile, thousands of Nigeriens took to the streets in support of the military junta. The demonstration came as ECOWAS threatened to invade the country and remove the coup leaders if diplomatic efforts to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power failed.

An official from the Niger government reported that talks between the ECOWAS delegation, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the junta achieved little result. The official also noted that there are deep divisions within the presidential guard that ousted President Bazoum and warned that if ECOWAS launched an attack on Niger, most soldiers in the presidential complex would flee.

Pope Francis called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The demonstrators chanted slogans against former colonial power France and ECOWAS, which is considering a military operation to reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum if negotiations with coup leaders fail.

The new military leaders in Niger have officially banned demonstrations, but those in support of the coup are allowed to proceed. The demonstrators waved placards saying “stop the military intervention” and “No to sanctions,” referring to the financial and trade restrictions imposed by ECOWAS four days after the coup on July 26.

The pro-coup rally was accompanied by musicians praising the new military regime. This latest demonstration came a day after the new military ruler in Niamey warned that an attack on Niger would not be easy.