In the latest turn of events in Niger Republic, the military junta, which deposed President Mohamed Bazoum in a July 26 coup, has agreed to embrace dialogue in resolving the resulting crisis in the West African country.
Following a meeting with the Intervention Team of Nigerian Islamic leaders, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the Niger military junta, has consented to engage in diplomatic discussions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
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.
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The new development follows a series of failed attempts by ECOWAS leaders headed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to resolve the crisis through diplomacy, prompting the regional group to opt for military intervention.
Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, the Prime Minister of Niger Republic, stated that General Tchiani had approved the initiation of discussions with ECOWAS and expressed hope that the diplomatic discussions would take place in the coming days.
As stated in a Sunday release signed by Lau, the coup leader and Islamic scholars engaged in deliberations encompassing various matters, including the request from ECOWAS leaders for the reinstatement of former President Bazoum.
“We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us…. we hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted,’’ Zeine said.
Though the ECOWAS had resolved to use military action to restore Bazoum to power, the bloc, which has ordered the deployment of its standby troops, is holding back due to overwhelming antiwar calls. The Nigerian Senate and the majority of ECOWAS Parliament members have rejected the move for military intervention, calling for a diplomatic approach.
Given the situation, Islamic clerics, northern elites, and traditional rulers have moved to initiate discussions with the junta in a bid to open the way for diplomatic discussion.
Lau explained that the religious leaders, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, arrived in Niger to fulfill their request for intervention. He noted that their purpose was to initiate a meaningful conversation, aiming to persuade the junta leader and other military figures involved in the coup to opt for a peaceful resolution of the crisis rather than resorting to conflict.
The delegation reportedly spent several hours with Tchiani in Niger’s capital Niamey, deliberating on all the issues, including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.
Following the discussion, Tchiani was said to have apologized for shutting the door to dialogue earlier on. Nonetheless, he expressed his disappointment over ECOWAS leaders’ failure to listen to their perspective before issuing an ultimatum for their resignation.
He contended that the coup was undertaken with good intentions, asserting that their actions were aimed at averting an impending threat that could have impacted both Niger Republic and Nigeria.
Furthermore, he extended an apology for not affording the team led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), which was dispatched by President Tinubu, the requisite attention. He attributed this oversight to their discontent over the ECOWAS ultimatum.
The leader of the junta said their doors are now open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.