JUST-IN: Niger Coup Leader Seeks Dialogue With ECOWAS

The leader of the Niger junta, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has said the military was ready for dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He made this known during a meeting with Islamic scholars from Nigeria.

Tchiani was quoted to have said doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the impasse.

Islamic scholars led by the chairman of the Izala sect in Nigeria – Jam’atul Izalatu Bidia Waikamatu Sunnah (JIBWIS) – Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, met with the junta in Niger’s capital Niamey on Saturday.

In a statement Lau issued after the meeting, he said his delegation and the coup leader deliberated on several issues, including ECOWAS demand for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Asked if the discussion for dialogue took place, Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, said: “Yes, for sure. That was exactly what the leader of our country told them, he did not say he was not open to dialogue.”

He also expressed optimism that talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.

‘’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.

Since President Bazoum was deposed on July 26, Tchiani’s regime had ignored several peaceful overtures from external bodies.