Niger’s new Prime Minister, Lamine Zeine, has described the sanctions imposed on the military junta as an “unfair challenge” but said the country would overcome them.

On Monday, Mr Zeine, appointed by the junta a week ago, said Niger was interested in cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We think that even though it is an unfair challenge that has been imposed on us, we should be able to overcome it. And we will overcome it,” said Mr Zeine.

On July 26, Niger’s military ousted democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The military suspended the constitution and appointed a transitional government.

Shortly afterwards, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the new military junta and demanded an immediate return to constitutional order.

It also activated a standby force for a possible military intervention in Niger, after the West African leaders, on July 30, gave the military junta one week to give up power.

On Sunday, the junta signalled its willingness to negotiate with ECOWAS after a Nigerian mediation group of Islamic clerics visited.

Mr Zeine also expressed confidence about possible negotiations with ECOWAS and neighbouring Nigeria, which had led the crackdown on Niger’s rulers.

“We have a great interest in preserving this important and historic relationship,” Mr Zeine said, stressing the original background of ECOWAS as an economic group to increase prosperity in West Africa.

He added, “If, however, we find that instead of this economic solidarity, the political and military principle comes to the fore, we can only regret that.”

(dpa/NAN)