The leaders of the coup in Niger Republic have agreed to open dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the ongoing political situation in the country.
According to a report by TheCable, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, leader of the Niger junta, has said that the military is ready to explore diplomatic dialogue.
Tchiani spoke on Saturday during a meeting with Nigeria’s intervention team comprising Islamic scholars.
The Islamic scholars were led by Bala Lau, national chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, and met with Tchiani for several hours in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
According to a statement signed by Lau on Sunday, the coup leader and Islamic scholars deliberated on several issues including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.
Lau said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.
He, therefore, told General Tchiani that the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace instead of war to resolve the crisis.
Responding, Tchiani said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.
He added that it was painful that the ECOWAS did not hear the junta’s side of the matter before issuing ultimatums.
Tchiani said the coup was well intended, as it was meant to starve off an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
The coup leader also apologised for not according attention to the team sent by President Tinubu, led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state. He added that their anger was a result of the ECOWAS ultimatum.
Premium Times had reported how the Niger junta have remained defiant and continued to hold on to power while keeping President Mohamed Bazoum in detention.
Since the 26 July coup, ECOWAS has sent three delegations to Niger to meet with the junta leaders. At least one of those delegations, led by ex-Nigerian military ruler Abdulsalami Abubakar, was humiliated and prevented from seeing the coup leader
Mr Tchiani also refused to see delegations from the AU, UN and the US.
However, he met with Nigeria’s former central bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, on Wednesday.
Sanusi, who later briefed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on the outcome of his visit, said he went to Niger in his personal capacity.
The former bank chief and other Islamic clerics also appealed to Tinubu to avoid war with Niger and continue with diplomacy.
Also, the influential Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) stated its opposition to war and asked for a reversal of sanctions on Niger.
The Nigerian Senate had also rejected a military option and called on President Tinubu to continue with dialogue.
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