In a significant development aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis in Niger Republic, coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani has expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This breakthrough came after Tchiani’s meeting with a delegation of Nigerian Islamic scholars led by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, the national leader of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), in Niger Republic.
Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, confirmed that General Tchiani has given the go-ahead for discussions with ECOWAS.
He expressed optimism that the dialogue with ECOWAS would take place within the next few days.
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‘’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,’’ he said.
The process leading to this positive development involved a team of Nigerian Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Bala Lau, meeting with General Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
During this extensive discussion, various aspects of the crisis were addressed, including ECOWAS’s demand for the reinstatement of former President Bazoum.
Sheikh Bala Lau, who chairs Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, revealed that the Nigerian scholars were acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, also the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
The scholars conveyed the position that dialogue is the path to resolving the political impasse in Niger.
General Tchiani responded positively to the scholars’ visit, expressing openness to diplomatic solutions for peace.
He shared that the coup was undertaken to avert a looming threat that could have affected both Niger Republic and Nigeria.
Despite expressing regret for not according proper attention to the team sent by President Tinubu initially, General Tchiani acknowledged the importance of dialogue and stated that the coup leaders were eager to present their perspective, highlighting the lack of opportunity to share their side of the matter before ECOWAS issued the ultimatum.
