The junta in Niger Republic is ready for diplomacy to resolve a standoff with West Africa’s regional bloc, a group of senior Nigerian Islamic scholars said on Sunday.
This is coming following the approval of ECOWAS chairman and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The delegation of Islamic scholars who vowed to promote dialogue met the junta in Niamey.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is exploring options to restore civilian rule in Niger, including a potential military campaign, following the July 26 ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, who led the delegation meeting with junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani said it lasted several hours.
“He said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter,” Lau said in a statement on Sunday.
Tchiani reportedly emphasised the historic ties between Niger and Nigeria, saying the countries “were not only neighbours but brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably”.
The coupists had initially rejected diplomatic efforts by ECOWAS, the African Union, the United States and others, thereby raising fears of worsening conflict in the region battling terrorism.
With the breakdown of diplomacy last week, ECOWAS activated a standby military force it said would be deployed as a last resort if talks failed.
While further negotiations are still on course, the bloc’s parliament on Saturday said it would ask Tinubu – who holds the bloc’s revolving chairmanship, to seek his permission to go to Niger.
There are concerns that military intervention by the bloc could split ECOWAS as juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have thrown their weight behind Niger’s new military leaders.
Western powers fear Russia’s influence could spread if the junta in Niger follows Mali and Burkina Faso, which sent the troops of former colonial power France out after coups in those countries.