Niger Coup: Military Junta, Nigeria’s Mediation Team Embrace Dialogue

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Amid threats and condemnation of ECOWAS’ military intervention in Niger Republic, dialogue seems to be taking the centre stage among the actors seeking amicable resolution of the impasse arising from the recent coup d’etat in the West African country.

Accordingly, reports have emerged that the broad-based Intervention team from Nigeria made some appreciable headway in its engagement with the Nigerien coupists at the weekend.

The reports indicated that the Nigeria delegation, comprising prominent Islamic scholars, was well received by the Niger Military junta with both sides parties agreeing to fully embrace dialogue option in resolving the current political imbroglio rocking that country.

Led by Sheik Bala Lau, the Islamic Ulammas had a closed door meeting with General Abdourahmane Tchiani for several hours in Niamey, the Nigerien capital with deliberations covering all the areas, including ECOWAS leaders’ demand for the reinstatement of detained former President Bazoum.

Speaking on the latest moves, Sheik Lau, who is the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, explained that the team was in Niger Republic on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.

He said based on their conviction that the political impasse in Niger should best be resolved through dialogue, the Clerics had informed President Tinubu as the Chairman of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government of their resolve to mediate in the crisis.

Sheik Lau said at their meeting with General Tchiani, the clerics told him that the visit was to engage in constructive dialogue while also encouraging him and other military leaders behind the coup to seek and embrace peaceful means of resolving the crisis instead of military confrontation.

The reports further indicated that General Tchiani, who received the team warmly, appreciated the intervention, saying the junta’s doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.

However, General Tchiani said their unhappiness and pain was the fact of not being given fair hearing by the ECOWAS leaders before slamming them with the quit office ultimatum.

Claiming that the coup was well intended to liberate Nigeriens, the Army General said they were determined to starve off any imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.

He used the opportunity to formally apologise for not according the team earlier sent by President Tinubu and led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) the required attention due to their anger over the ECOWAS ultimatum.

While tracing the historical ties between the two nations, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria were not only neighbours but brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.

Addressing journalists in Niamey after the meeting, a member of the team and Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to some media reports, the team enjoyed General Tchiani’s friendship with both parties having fruitful discussions on the issues at stake.

According to him; “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press 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.”

Among the team consisting of scholars from various Islamic sects in the country were Sheik Kabiru Gombe-Secretary, Jamatul izalatul bida waikamatul sunnah; Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina-Director Daawah, JIBWIS; Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi – Rep Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi; and Dr Khalid Aliya- Secretary General, Jammatul Nasril Islam.

Also in the team are Sheik Karibullah Nasiru Kabara – Leader Khadriya group Nigeria; Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid – Director Admin, JIBWIS Jos, Plateau State; Professor Mansur Sokoto; Alhaji Mele Kyari; Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman; and Professor Salisu Sheri – Deputy Secretary-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs among others.