Niger insurrectionists led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani have agreed to resolve the country’s interregnum around diplomatic dialogue.
It was learnt that the coup leaders embraced dialogue after meeting with Bala Lau, the national chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah in Niamey, the capital city of Niger.
Lau, in a press release, he authorised said some of the issues discussed during the meeting, including the reinstatement former President Bazoum.
The City Gazette understands that the delegation was sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He, however, informed Tchiani that the reason for the visit was to ensure the adoption of a non-kinetic approach in resolving the matter.
While reacting, Tchiani agreed to engage leadership of the ECOWAS in diplomatic talks, however expressing the junta’s disappointment at how ECOWAS sided with the ex-president without seeking explanation before issuing ultimatums.
He continued that the coup was carried out in the interest of the country to ward off threats capable of affecting both Niger Republic and Nigeria.
The coup leader also expressed remorse for refusing to grant audience to the Abubakar Abdulsalam-led delegation sent by President Tinubu, citing ECOWAS ultimatums as the reason for their anger.
When interrogated about their readiness for dialogue, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Niger’s prime minister, appointed by the junta, reportedly 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 was hopeful the junta would engage ECOWAS in peaceful talks in the coming 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.
