Abdusalami briefs Tinubu on Niger

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, after leading a delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Niger Republic at the weekend for “final” negotiations with the military regime, briefed President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on their mission.

The former Nigerian Head of State held a meeting with President Tinubu, ECOWAS Chairman, including the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, who was at the State House for consultation with the Nigerian President.

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Abdulsalami emphasized that the meeting with the military regime in Niger Republic was fruitful. He expressed optimism of the possibility of resolving the Niger coup crisis through diplomacy, and avoidance of military action.

The National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, was in attendance at the meeting.
Tension has risen in Niger since ECOWAS leaders passed a resolution at their summit in Abuja to activate a “standby force” in Niger Republic to restore democracy and reinstate ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.

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The situation was exacerbated when ECOWAS further rejected the proposal by the transition military regime in Niger led by general Abdourahamane Tiani to return civilian rule in three years.

There have been warnings on the ECOWAS leaders, especially, the Nigerian President, to avoid war in Niger Republic, essentially, as Burkina Faso and Mali have dared the ECOWAS that any military action in Niger would be considered a “declaration of war” against them. Both West African countries have deployed forces, including military hardware to Niger.

This is more so, as the Russian Wanger Forces were said to have declared military support for Niger military regime.

The African Union (AU), denouncing the July 26 coup in Niger, suspended the country from the Union.

While, external interests are mobilizing for military action against the transition government in Niger, citizens of the country have been mobilizing support for the military regime, giving legitimacy to the junta.

Niger Republic is the fourth West Africa country to be taken over by the military after the coup in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali. since 2020.