In a nationally televised speech on Wednesday night, Niger’s new military ruler attacked the nation’s neighbors and the international community while urging the populace to be prepared to protect it.

Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani issued a rare speech to the nation of West Africa after taking over from the democratically elected leader of Niger a week prior, in which he cautioned against outside interference and military action to put down the coup.

Tchiani, who is in charge of Niger’s presidential guard, has vowed to make it possible for peaceful elections to replace President Mohamed Bazoum.

The West African regional group ECOWAS has threatened to use military force if Bazoum isn’t released from house arrest and reinstated by August 6; this is the context in which Bazoum is giving his speech.

The group has enacted harsh travel and financial restrictions.

Tchiani claimed that challenging days are coming for Niger and that the “hostile and radical” views of people who disagree with his authority add nothing to the situation.

He referred to the ECOWAS sanctions as unlawful, discriminatory, inhumane, and unprecedented.

In order to discuss next moves, the ECOWAS defense chiefs’ two-day meeting began on Wednesday in the capital of Nigeria.

The conference in Abuja, according to Abdel-Fatau Musah, the bloc’s commissioner for political affairs, peace, and stability, would address how to “negotiate with the officers in the hostage situation that we find ourselves in the Republic of Niger.”

Niger, which, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, receives up to 90% of its power from neighboring Nigeria, was one of the countries targeted by the penalties that ECOWAS announced on Sunday.