Niger denies accepting Algeria's settlement initiative

Niger has not accepted Algeria's initiative to resolve the political crisis, the Foreign Ministry said. It denied the message of the Algerian Foreign Ministry on this matter.

The initiative envisaged a six-month transition period for the return of a constitutional and democratic system.

“The Government of the Republic of Niger rejects these conclusions, reiterating its desire to preserve the ties of friendship and brotherhood with Algeria,” the Niger Foreign Ministry said in a statement published by the Nigerian Press Agency.

In August, Algeria proposed an initiative to peacefully resolve the crisis in Niger, in which the military seized power. The initiative involves a transition period and mediation by Algeria.

The day before, on October 2, the Algerian Foreign Ministry announced that Niger had accepted the offer. Niger's Foreign Ministry notes that it previously stated its readiness to study the initiative, but from the very beginning insisted that the duration of the transition period should depend on the conclusions of the National Inclusive Forum, as well as changes in the governance of the country.