The military leaders who seized power in Niger Republic 26 July have agreed to diplomatic efforts in resolving the impasse in the Sahel country.
After weeks of failed diplomatic efforts of the regional Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) led by Nigeria, the junta has finally agreed to talks with the ECOWAS to resolve the political crisis.
Niamey has resisted weeks of diplomatic overtures from regional body, ECOWAS, the United Nations, African Union, the United States and other individual envoys.
The positive signal from the military leaders followed a meeting with a group of Nigerian Islamic clerics in Niamey on Saturday.
The Ulammas led by Sheik Bala Lau met with the junta leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, for several hours where they deliberated on all the issues including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated.
The newly appointed Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, confirmed that the junta was ready for a dialogue, expressing hope that the 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,” Zeine said.
ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger to include cutting off electricity supply to compel the military leaders to reinstate the ousted president.
Niger is among th poorest nations on the planet with low literacy level. Almost six of ten nationals are illiterates and the situation can worsen if sanctions are upheld against the country.
Niger: Coupists bow to pressure, welcome dialogue
The military leaders who seized power in Niger Republic 26 July have agreed to diplomatic efforts in resolving the impasse in the Sahel country.
After weeks of failed diplomatic efforts of the regional Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) led by Nigeria, the junta has finally agreed to talks with the ECOWAS to resolve the political crisis.
Niamey has resisted weeks of diplomatic overtures from regional body, ECOWAS, the United Nations, African Union, the United States and other individual envoys.
The positive signal from the military leaders followed a meeting with a group of Nigerian Islamic clerics in Niamey on Saturday.
The Ulammas led by Sheik Bala Lau met with the junta leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, for several hours where they deliberated on all the issues including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated.
The newly appointed Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, confirmed that the junta was ready for a dialogue, expressing hope that the 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,” Zeine said.
ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger to include cutting off electricity supply to compel the military leaders to reinstate the ousted president.
Niger is among th poorest nations on the planet with low literacy level. Almost six of ten nationals are illiterates and the situation can worsen if sanctions are upheld against the country.
