Niger coupists opt for dialogue with Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu’s intervention team, which included notable Islamic scholars from the nation, met with the coup leaders in Niger where all sides decided to increase the possibility of dialogue in order to resolve the political impasse there. The Islamic Ulammas, led by Sheik Abdullahi Bala Lau, met with General Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, the capital of Niger, for a lengthy discussion on all the issues, including the call by the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) leaders for the reinstatement of former President Bazoum.

Sheikh Bala Lau, in a statement, stated that the delegation had earlier communicated with President Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, to express their position in favor of dialogue as a means of resolving the political deadlock in Niger.

Therefore, he informed General Tchiani that the purpose of his trip to Niger was to participate in productive discussion in order to persuade him and the other military figures who were involved in the coup to choose the route of peace rather than violence in order to end the problem. General Tchiani responded, giving the crew a warm welcome and praising their action.  He said, “Their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.” General Tchiani claimed that the coup leaders were aggrieved that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the story before giving them a deadline to resign.

He asserted that the coup was well-intentioned and that it was carried out to thwart an impending threat that would have harmed both Nigeria and the Niger Republic. He expressed regret for not giving necessary attention to the team led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), former Head of State, which the Nigerian President sent. His action was informed by the ECOWAS deadline. He traced the history and rapport between the two countries, saying that Niger and Nigeria were not just neighbours, but brothers and sisters who should solve any disagreement in a peaceful manner.