The Niger Military Junta has indicated that they are prepared to communicate with ECOWAS.
According to Gatekeepers News, the Nigerian Intervention Team met with the coup leaders in Niger over the weekend. The team included famous Islamic clerics from the nation.
Both parties agreed at the conference to expand the possibility of discussion in order to resolve the political dispute in that nation.
In the capital of Niger, Niamey, the Islamic Ulammas, led by Sheik Bala Lau, had a lengthy discussion with General Abdourahmane Tchiani on all the issues, including the call from ECOWAS leaders for the reinstatement of former President Bazoum.
The clerics were in Niger, according to Bala Lau, National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who agreed to step in when they requested them to.
Sheik Lau said that the team had already communicated their point of view that the political deadlock in Niger should be addressed via discussion to President Tinubu, who also serves as the chairman of the authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
Therefore, he informed General Tchiani that the purpose of his trip to Niger was to participate in productive discussion in order to persuade him and the other military figures who were involved in the coup to choose the route of peace rather than violence in order to end the problem.
General Tchiani responded by thanking them for their assistance and declaring that they were willing to exploring ways to resolve the conflict via diplomacy and peace.
Tchiani stated that Nigeria and the Niger Republic should settle disputes peacefully since they were not only neighbors but also brothers and sisters.
General Tchiani, however, said that the coup leaders found it difficult that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the narrative before giving them an ultimatum to resign.
He asserted that the coup was well-intentioned and that it was carried out to thwart an impending threat that would have harmed both Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
He also expressed regret for not giving the delegation sent by President Tinubu, who was accompanied by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), the respect they deserved due of their ire over the ECOWAS ultimatum.
While speaking with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, Another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.
“We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the matter.
“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow any good and that peaceful resolution should prevail.”
The team comprised scholars from various Islamic sects in the country.
Among them were Sheik Kabiru Gombe-Secretary, Jamatul izalatul bida waikamatul sunnah,
Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina-Director Daawah, JIBWIS, Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi- Rep Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi and Dr Khalid Aliya- Secretary General, Jammatul Nasril Islam.
Others included Sheik Karibullah Nasiru Kabara- Leader Khadriya group Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman, Professor Salisu Sheri- Deputy Secretary-General Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid- Director Admin, JIBWIS Jos, Professor Mansur Sokoto, and Alhaji Mele Kyari.
