Coup: Niger Military Ready For Dialogue

Nigeria’s Islamic scholars have met with General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the military junta that seized power in Niger last month, to urge him to pursue peaceful dialogue with the regional bloc ECOWAS.

 

The delegation, led by Bala Lau, the national chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, a prominent Islamic group in Nigeria, visited Tchiani on Saturday and conveyed the message of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the current chair of ECOWAS.

 

Lau said in a statement on Sunday that they told Tchiani that “war is not an option” and that they wanted to hear his side of the story before imposing sanctions or taking military action.

 

Tchiani welcomed the initiative and said he was open to diplomacy and dialogue. He also expressed his disappointment with ECOWAS for not listening to his reasons for overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum, who he accused of rigging the elections.

 

Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Zeine confirmed that Tchiani had given the green light for dialogue and hoped that ECOWAS would come to Niger soon to discuss how to lift the sanctions and restore democracy.

 

ECOWAS had imposed a deadline of August 6 for Tchiani to step down and hand over power to a civilian-led transitional government, or face a possible military intervention. The deadline passed without any change in Niger’s political situation.

 

ECOWAS leaders have said they prefer a diplomatic solution, but have also authorized the deployment of a regional standby force to Niger in case of need.

 

Niger has been in turmoil since August 24, when Tchiani and his loyalists staged a coup against Bazoum, who had won the presidential election in February. The coup was condemned by the international community and triggered protests and violence in Niger.