Muslim Clerics: Niger Junta Now Ready to Dialogue with ECOWAS

Leader of the Niger junta, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, weekend, appeared to have shifted from his earlier hardline stance  and agreed to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on a lasting political solution to the situation in the country, according to Muslim clerics.

The change of mind came after a meeting with the intervention team of Nigeria’s Islamic leaders, led by National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, Bala Lau, in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

The junta also apologised to ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, for denying the ECOWAS delegation access to the country.

But Tchiani justified the decision to oust President Mohamed Bazoum, and said the intervention was informed by imminent threat to both Niger and Nigeria, which had to be averted.

A statement by Lau, yesterday, said the coup leader and Islamic scholars deliberated on several issues, including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that ousted Bazoum be reinstated.

The junta’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, said Tchiani gave the approval for talks with ECOWAS and was optimistic that the talks with the regional bloc would take place in the next few days.

Zeine stated, “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.”

Lau said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of Tinubu, who accepted their request to intervene. He added that the visit was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage the junta leader and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace instead of war in resolving the crisis.

The leader of the Islamic delegation, reportedly, met Tchiani for several hours in Niamey during which they deliberated on all the issues, including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that Bazoum be restored.

Tchiani, in his response, said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter. He said it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum to them to quit office.

The junta leader apologised for not according the team sent by Tinubu, led by a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), access to the country. He said it was because of their anger over the ECOWAS ultimatum.

But Tchiani insisted the coup was well-intended to stave off an imminent threat that could have affected both Niger and Nigeria.

Tchiani, in a statement, traced the historical ties between the two countries, saying they are not only neighbours but also brothers and sisters, who should resolve issues amicably.

At the end of their meeting with the coup leaders, Nigeria’s intervention team agreed to intensify the option of dialogue in trying to resolve the political crisis in that country.

Speaking with newsmen in Niamey after the meeting, a 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 Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.

Abdulrahman said, “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and impress 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.”

Those on the team were Sheik Kabiru Gombe-Secretary, Jamatul Izalatul Bida Waikamatul Sunnah; Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina, Director Daawah, JIBWIS; Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi representing 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.