The ministry said in a statement published by the Nigerien news agency ANP that, following a meeting between representatives of the two countries on September 25 in New York, Niger announced the willingness of the authorities to study the Algerian mediation proposal for a settlement in Niger.
Niger's side clarified from the beginning that the length of the transition period should depend on the conclusions of the national inclusive forum, as well as the guidelines for changes in the governance of the country, the statement said.
"Even before the conclusions of this meeting were formalized, the Foreign Ministry was surprised to see on social media and in some media outlets a statement made by the Algerian government indicating that Niger 'had accepted the mediation of Algeria, which had offered the military a six-month transition period. In view of the foregoing, the government of the Republic of Niger rejects these conclusions and reiterates its intention to preserve the bonds of friendship and fraternity with Algeria," the statement said.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry said Monday that Niamey had accepted its initiative to peacefully resolve the political crisis in Niger.
Earlier in August, Algeria's foreign minister said that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had proposed an initiative for a peaceful political settlement of the crisis in Niger. The initiative provides for a transitional period of six months to reach a political solution that guarantees the return to a constitutional system.
On July 26, a group of members of the presidential guard announced the removal of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened a military intervention if the military did not reinstate Bazoum.