Former Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi Meets Niger Coup Leaders

 

Former Nigerian royal visits Niger coup leader

 

Lamido Sanusi, the deposed Emir of Kano, has paid a visit to the military junta that seized power in Niger last month. Sanusi, who is also a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was accompanied by the Sultan of Damagaran, a traditional ruler from Niger’s third largest city.

 

The two dignitaries met with Abdourahmane Tiani, the leader of the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on July 31. Tiani is a former army colonel who declared himself the head of a transitional council after ousting Bazoum, who had won a disputed election in February.

 

The visit comes amid growing international pressure on the junta to restore democracy and release Bazoum and other detained officials. The United States, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have all condemned the coup and called for a swift return to civilian rule.

 

However, the junta has shown little willingness to negotiate with external actors. It recently cancelled a meeting with Victoria Nuland, the US acting Deputy Secretary of State, who was in Niamey to discuss the crisis. It also rejected an ECOWAS ultimatum to reinstate Bazoum or face sanctions.

 

Sanusi’s motive for visiting Niger is unclear, but he has been vocal about his opposition to military interventions in Africa. In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, he said that coups are “a retrogressive step” that undermine the continent’s development and stability.

 

Sanusi himself was dethroned as Emir of Kano in March 2020 by the governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje, who accused him of insubordination and corruption. Sanusi denied the allegations and challenged his removal in court, but his case was dismissed. He currently lives in exile in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.