The diplomatic tour that led the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Ahmed Ataf, to Nigeria, Benin and Ghana was marked by convergence of points of view and support for Algeria’s approach and its endeavors to achieve a return to the constitutional order in Niger, through a political solution that untangles the threads of the existing crisis, in a way that preserves Security and stability of this country and the entire region.
In this context, and commissioned by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, since last Wednesday, Minister Ahmed Ataf made a working visit to the three countries that belong to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to hold consultations with his counterparts in these countries about the crisis in Niger and ” Ways to take care of it by contributing to crystallizing a political solution that spares this country and the entire region the repercussions of a possible escalation of the situation.
Ahmed Ataf reaffirmed that the crisis in Niger “is a crisis resulting from an unconstitutional change and that, if it is the focus of ECOWAS’ concerns, it also flows into Algeria’s concerns.”
He added, “We are proceeding, whether within the Economic Community of West African States or in Algeria, on the same plan of action, which is to coordinate our efforts as much as possible to achieve a common goal, which is to achieve a return to the constitutional order in Niger,” and went on to say that Algeria has always considered that resorting to force A complicating factor that does not contribute to a solution.
In Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, the first stop on Minister Ataf’s tour, it was agreed, in particular, on the need to coordinate the efforts made by the two countries, especially the initiatives taken by Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Nigerian counterpart, Paula Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as the current head of the Economic Community of Western States. Africa, “with the aim of strengthening international and regional momentum and encouraging everyone to gather around the political and peaceful path to resolve the crisis in Niger.”
In this regard, Minister Ataf said: “We stressed that Algeria and Nigeria (…) can only work together, hand in hand, side by side, to avoid exacerbating the situation in Niger, the region and the entire African continent,” pointing out that it was also confirmed in a way “We will not tolerate the violation of democracy and the constitutional order in Niger, and preserving the security and stability of Niger and the well-being of its people requires us to make more efforts and sacrifices individually and collectively, and we will spare no effort in activating a peaceful and political solution to the crisis in Niger,” he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who strongly believes that the space is still available to activate the political and peaceful path to resolve the existing crisis in Niger, has set “a clear vision for this and defended it with firmness and determination in its content, constants and controls.”
The convergence of views between Algeria and ECOWAS was also highlighted by the Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ochlegoun Agadi Bakary, after his meeting in Cotonou with Minister Ataf, also recording this congruence between Algeria and his country on the crisis in Niger.
In the same context, Minister Agadi Bakari stressed, “We share the adherence to the principle of reaching power through elections, not through weapons,” adding, “We also share the adherence to not allowing the proliferation of unconstitutional military regimes in the region.”
Therefore – the spokesman says – “We will work together to achieve the goals set by Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Patrice Talon (President of Benin) regarding Niger as soon as possible.”
At his last stop in Ghana, Ataf was received in the capital, Accra, today, Saturday, by President Nana Akufo-Addo, “where he conveyed to him the greetings of his brother, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and conveyed to him a message from his excellency about the crisis in Niger, and the prospects for intensifying and unifying efforts to promote the foundations of a peaceful solution that would spare this country.” and the countries of the region, the repercussions of the possible escalation of the situation.
For his part, President Nana Akufo-Addo praised the “important role” of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and his “good offices” aimed at making an effective contribution to putting an end to the crisis in Niger.
On the other hand, the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, expressed yesterday, Friday, the “support” of his country’s government and its “high appreciation” for Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s initiative, which aims to give priority to the logic of a political solution to the crisis in Niger, by sending envoys to this country and the countries of the Economic Community of States. West Africa.
Tajani also indicated, in a telephone conversation with his counterpart Ataf, that “Italy fully shares Algeria’s concern about the repercussions of the option of resorting to the use of force,” stressing “his country’s readiness to support Algeria’s efforts and support its efforts to calm the situation and work to achieve a return to the constitutional order in Niger through all means.” peaceful.”
