Within three years, Niger’s coup leader promises to restore civilian rule.

After meeting with mediators from the West African regional bloc Ecowas in Niamey, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani announced the deal.

If talks fail, Ecowas has threatened military action to overthrow President Mohamed Bazoum.

According to the junta head, Niger would defend itself against any foreign invasion.

He warned on Saturday evening that an attack against us would not be a walk in the park.

Furthermore, Gen Tchiani reiterated his criticism of Ecowas’ “illegal and inhumane” sanctions against the landlocked nation.

As a result, Niamey and other major cities have suffered blackouts, and imports have been blocked.

The shortage of supplies has left lorry drivers stuck for weeks, causing food prices to rise.

According to Gen Tchiani, sanctions are not intended to find a solution, but rather to humiliate us.

According to Reuters, thousands of men gathered at a stadium in Niamey on Saturday to register for a volunteer force in case of invasion.

On Sunday, Ecowas rejected the three-year timeframe.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, the bloc’s commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, told the BBC that Ecowas does not want a prolonged transition in the region again.

“The military aspect is very much on”, he said.

The sooner civilians are given power back and concentrate on their primary responsibility, which is defending Niger’s territorial integrity, the better for them.” Both the US and France, which have military bases in Niger, have supported regional efforts to reverse the coup. They are part of a wider effort to combat jihadist groups in the Sahel.

According to the junta leader, who headed the presidential guard before taking power on 26 July, military intervention could worsen Islamist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and IS.

Niger has remained a barrier to terrorist hordes destabilizing the entire region due in large part to the professionalism and valour of its defence and security forces.

Similar coups have taken place in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali recently.

Additionally, Russia’s mercenary group Wagner is expanding its influence in the Sahel region.

In a “dialogue” hosted by the coup leaders, Gen Tchiani said the principles for the transition will be decided within 30 days.

The delegation was led by former Nigerian military leader Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as Nigeria’s most senior Muslim leader, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto.

In Niger, a part of which was part of the Sokoto Caliphate before colonialism, he wields enormous influence.

Leaders of the junta and Ecowas met for the first time on Saturday