The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected the three year timeframe for a return to civilian rule proposed by Niger's coup leadership, Abdel-Fatau Musah, the bloc's commissioner for political affairs, told UK media.
"EСOWAS is not accepting any prolonged transition again in the region. They just have to get ready to hand over in the shortest possible time," Musah said, adding that "the military aspect is very much on."
He added that the sooner the military restored civilian rule, "the better it would be for them."
On Sunday, the leader of the transitional government Abdourahamane Tchiani appeared on national TV to disclose that guidelines for a purported return to civilian rule will be defined within 30 days in a discussion among the coup leadership.
The general added that diverse political parties will submit their views on the transition period.
Tchiani also pointed out that the military has no ambition to "confiscate power" and is ready for dialog to protect the interests of the people.
On the same day, media reported that an ECOWAS delegation arrived in the Nigerien capital Niamey for talks with the coup leader. However, the talks reportedly ended without success.
In early August, ECOWAS leaders agreed at a summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja to field a reserve force to put pressure on the Nigerien military to reinstate Bazoum.
On Friday, Musah said that the group's chiefs of general staff had agreed on a date to launch the military intervention.