Niger coup soldiers say they will not accept ECOWAS sanctions

　　On the evening of August 2, local time, Abderahman Chiani, leader of the military coup in Niger and chairman of the National Committee for the Defence of the Motherland, said in a televised speech that the Committee would not accept all sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), would not restore President Bazoum to his post under regional and international pressure, and would not yield to threats from any side.

△ Durahman Chiani

　　Chiani also said in his televised speech that there was no security threat in the French, Niger, and there was "no objective reason" for the French to evacuate overseas Chinese.

　　According to local media reports on the 2nd, since July 29th, Chiani has issued a number of decrees in his capacity as Chairman of the State Committee for the Defence of the Motherland and Head of State, including the appointment of eight military officers as the chief executives of eight regions respectively, and the announcement of the appointment of the Secretary-General of the ministerial government, the Director of the State Committee for the Defence of the Motherland and the Chief of the Office of the Head of State.

　　On July 26th, some soldiers of Niger Presidential Guard detained Bazoum. Late that night, the military representatives of the coup announced the establishment of the National Committee for Defending the Motherland, relieved President Bazoum of his functions and powers, and the military regime took over state affairs. Chiani announced his appointment as the chairman of Niger’s National Committee for the Defence of the Motherland on the 28th. (Headquarters reporter He Beiping)