President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently held a meeting with Governors from Nigerian states sharing boundaries with the Niger Republic, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Katsina, and Jigawa. The conference appears to be part of broader discussions concerning the ongoing political unrest in Niger. However, specific details about the meeting’s agenda were not immediately disclosed.
Reports suggest that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under President Tinubu’s leadership, had given a deadline to the Nigerien military to reinstate the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Tinubu had warned that if the coup leaders in Niger failed to comply within the stipulated timeframe, force might be used as a last resort. Amidst the situation, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) urged President Tinubu to explore diplomatic options to resolve the crisis, emphasizing that deploying Nigerian troops to Niger could have implications for seven northern Nigerian states bordering Niger.
Following President Bazoum’s removal from power, Niger’s new military administration allowed certain neighboring countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Libya, and Chad, back into the country. However, they restricted access to their airspace and land boundaries to other ECOWAS member countries. In response, the Nigerian government closed all land borders with Niger and cut off electricity supplies. Additionally, Niger’s military recalled its embassies from Togo, France, Nigeria, and the United States.
There are increasing calls for a diplomatic resolution to the issue from various stakeholders as the ECOWAS deadline draws closer. The regional body is carefully considering its next course of action to address the political crisis in Niger and restore stability to the region.
Article source: Punch
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