West African nations have refused a three-year transition plan back to democracy called by Niger’s coup leaders as neighbouring countries deliberate on whether to take military action.
After the army overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum last month, General Abdourahamane Tiani announced he would delay a return to civilian authority.
His declaration followed the visit to Niger by a West African regional group ECOWAS delegation, which has threatened to use force to restore Bazoum.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commissioner for Politics and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, said the plan is unacceptable.
"The three-year transition is unacceptable. We want constitutional order to be restored as soon as possible,” he said.
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In a televised speech on Saturday, Tiani accused ECOWAS of preparing to attack Niger by establishing an invading force in cooperation with a foreign army. He did not name the nation.
"If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walk in the park some people seem to think," he said.
ECOWAS leaders say they must act now that Niger has become the fourth West African nation since 2020 to suffer a coup, following Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali.
The bloc has agreed to activate a "standby force" as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.
It has said it is ready to act, although it is still pursuing diplomacy and has given no date or details about any intervention.
Unlike a previous ECOWAS mission in early August, the delegation held talks with Tiani and met Bazoum, who is being held with his family at the presidential palace and could be facing treason charges.
