Tinubu insists on force as Niger military snubs ECOWAS delegation

In the build up to the crisis summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Thursday in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu has not changes his mind on the decision to adopt military action against the military regime in Niger Republic that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, was gathered to have disclosed that the President has not ruled out military intervention. He, however, noted that President Tinubu, ECOWAS Chairman, still believes diplomacy is the “best way forward” to resolve the crisis in Niger Republic.

The crisis was exacerbated as the military regime obstructed a delegation of the ECOWAS, African Union (AU), UN, to Niamey on Tuesday for dialogue.

The military blocking the delegation, explained that public “anger” triggered by the sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS implies that the safety of the delegation could be at risk.

The Niger military regime had undermined the 7-day ultimatum to vacate office and restore ousted President Bazoum, which elapsed on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Ajuri Ngelale had cited President Tinubu as saying that “No options have been taken off of the table.”

The United States had expressed optimism that the coup could be undone but is “realistic”, a day after a top US envoy appeared to make no progress in an unannounced visit.

The State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, was cited to have stated on Tuesday: “At the same time, we are making clear, including in direct conversations with junta leaders themselves, what the consequences are for failing to return to constitutional order.”

ECOWAS, in a statement, had acknowledged that the visit by a joint delegation with African Union and United Nations officials was rejected by the Niger military regime.