Niger's Coup Leader Open to Diplomatic Solution, ECOWAS Mediation Intensifies

The recent military coup in Niger, which removed elected leader Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, has ignited a stand-off between coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). While ECOWAS has not ruled out using force to reverse the coup, it remains committed to exploring diplomatic solutions to the crisis.

A delegation of Nigerian Muslim leaders, with the blessings of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, visited Niger's capital Niamey to mediate between the coup leaders and ECOWAS. After talks with General Tiani, the religious delegation reported that he expressed a willingness to consider diplomatic solutions to the stand-off.

General Tiani claimed that the coup was an attempt to prevent an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger but also neighboring Nigeria. However, he expressed disappointment in ECOWAS' ultimatum to restore Bazoum without considering "their side of the matter."

ECOWAS, led by Nigeria's President Tinubu, has taken a firm stance against the coup. The bloc has halted financial transactions with Niger, cut off electricity supplies, and closed borders, severely impacting the nation's already struggling economy. ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum to restore Bazoum, which expired without the coup leaders backing down.

To gain support against international pressure, representatives of Niger's coup regime traveled to Guinea to meet with Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of Guinea's military government. The Niger delegation requested increased support to handle future challenges, while expressing gratitude for Guinea's backing of Niger's new governing military council.

ECOWAS' plan to hold a crisis meeting in Ghana to address the situation was cancelled due to technical reasons.

The prospect of military intervention to reinstate Bazoum has divided ECOWAS members and drawn warnings from foreign powers, including Russia and Algeria. Mali and Burkina Faso, neighboring countries also ruled by military governments following coups, have voiced concerns that an intervention in Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.

Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held at his official residence in Niamey since the coup, saw his doctor on Saturday after concerns were raised about his deteriorating detention conditions.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-13 News

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