00:00 In a region in boiling water, the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, spoke during a recent
00:14 statement to evoke a proposal for a political transition to neighboring Nigeria, where
00:18 military authorities have recently taken power.
00:21 This announcement came in a context of growing tension between Nigeria and France, following
00:26 the Nigerian authorities' decision to expel the French ambassador to Niamé.
00:31 Let's analyze in detail the recent developments in this unstable region.
00:34 President Tinubu, who also holds the presidency of the Economic Community of the States of
00:40 Africa of the West, CDAO, proposed a nine-month transition period for Nigeria.
00:46 This proposal is based on the example of the nine-month transition that was put in place
00:50 in Nigeria in 1999.
00:52 He expressed hope that this suggestion could be accepted by military authorities in Nigeria,
00:58 provided that they are sincere in their desire to restore political stability in the country.
01:02 However, he also stressed that the sanctions imposed by the CDAO would only be lifted
01:07 if positive adjustments were made by the new Niamé regime.
01:11 This statement marks the first time that a country of the CDAO evokes a specific duration
01:16 for a possible political transition in the region.
01:18 Since the end of July, the CDAO has imposed severe economic sanctions on Nigeria in response
01:25 to the military coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
01:28 It has also repeatedly mentioned the possibility of a military intervention to restore Bazoum
01:34 in his functions.
01:35 Algeria, an influential neighbor of Nigeria, had recently proposed a six-month transition
01:40 plan before a return to constitutional order, while the generals in power in Niamé had
01:45 suggested a three-year transition maximum.
01:47 The diplomatic conflict between Nigeria and France, a former colonial power of Nigeria
01:53 and a key partner in the anti-jihadist struggle, adds an additional layer of complexity to
01:57 the situation.
01:58 The Nigerian authorities ordered the expulsion of French Ambassador Sylvain Ité and revoked
02:04 his immunity and diplomatic visa, as well as those of his family.
02:07 However, Paris refused to comply with this request, arguing that the government in power
02:13 in Niamé was illegitimate and did not have the authority for such a request.
02:16 "In virtue of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Embassy premises
02:21 are considered as inviolable."
02:32 (air whooshing)
Comments